[1] Its name refers to its former status as the capital of the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period.
In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang established Wu County as the capital of Kuaiji Commandery.
The city itself was often known as Kuaiji from this role, prior to return of Kuaiji's administration to present-day Shaoxing on the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay.
In 1928, the government of the Republic of China split the urban area of Wu County and set up Suzhou City.
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Suzhou City was divided from Wu County again in 1949.