The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 378 Giving Feedback

The leader nodded: "That makes sense. Now that everyone has finished speaking, I'll listen to Professor Liu's insightful remarks."

Liu Hua took a sip of water; it tasted like tea.

"Then I'd like to raise a few issues." Liu Hua smiled: "First of all, the first issue is that they can't operate independently. Otherwise, they won't be able to recruit so many workers. If you're lucky, the company you're affiliated with won't interfere too much with your operations. If you're unlucky, the company you're affiliated with won't just be setting obstacles for you, it will be dragging you down. So, independent operation of private enterprises will be a very important key point."

The leader nodded: "This is something that is currently being considered at the higher levels; it's not just a simple economic issue."

“I understand there are many concerns. But we have to come to a conclusion. Without independent operation, private enterprises cannot achieve long-term development.”

The leader smiled and said, "Anything else? This is the question we receive the most. We want to hear more different voices. Listening to all sides leads to clarity, while listening to only one side leads to obscurity."

“There’s another problem: things are difficult to get done, and the words are harsh,” Liu Hua said, frowning. “These days, there are just too many procedures for private enterprises to go through when they want to get things done. It would be best to simplify the structure and reduce the number of procedures.”

Liu Hua paused for a moment: "Actually, this problem is widespread. It's not just something that our private enterprises encounter. Even ordinary people have to go through many procedures if they want to get something done. I feel that this is not the attitude of serving the people, because some of the staff who handle these matters have a very bad attitude."

"If these procedures cannot be simplified, it will also be an obstacle to attracting investment in the future. When foreign investors come to invest and set up factories, having to go through so many procedures and stamps may directly discourage them from investing."

The leader immediately nodded: "It is indeed very important. We wouldn't have thought of this if you hadn't mentioned it. Simplifying the procedures is imperative."

"If we bring all the simplified departments together," Liu Hua said with a smile, "we can create a one-stop service. People can complete all the procedures in one hall. I feel that's true service to the people."

"With so many departments belonging to different organizations, how can we bring them all together?"

Another leader laughed and said, "That's easy. Just conduct a survey, and have one or two clerks from the approval departments of various agencies at all levels put them together."

People who can work within the system are generally quite intelligent. There are some things they just haven't thought of yet, but once they do, they can quickly come up with excellent solutions.

"Another problem is that the market must be fair. There are many means of production that we simply cannot obtain fairly. You can't cook without rice."

Liu Hua's words resonated with many small business owners. Often, they have to beg and plead to obtain permits for even a small amount of raw materials, sometimes to the point of drinking themselves into a stupor. Only they know the hardships they endure.

"Just these three points, anything else?"

"It's only been about ten years since the government opened up, and I've only been doing business for five or six years. There aren't that many problems. How to improve the business environment for private enterprises? We have to look at it from a developmental perspective, identify problems as they arise, and solve them as they arise."

After Liu Hua finished speaking, the other big bosses also raised some issues. The symposium lasted for more than three hours. In addition to the discussion, Liu Hua also expressed some of his own opinions.

Many small business owners felt enlightened after listening to Liu Hua's advice. They realized that Professor Liu was indeed a big boss with a high level of insight.

After the meeting, everyone else went home, but Liu Hua was kept behind by the leader. "You were holding back at the meeting," the leader said with a smile. "What's wrong? Were you hiding anything from us? Just say what you have to say."

"I never said I was holding back. I just said whatever came to mind," Liu Hua complained. "This symposium was held too suddenly. If you had notified me three months in advance, I could have written a proper article about it."

"I don't want to hear those official platitudes and clichés; I want to hear your straightforward, rambling thoughts."

Another leader asked seriously, "Actually, I'd really like to hear your thoughts on state-owned enterprises."

"Why are we still talking about this? Didn't you want to talk about private enterprises today?" Liu Hua retorted. "I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to interfere too much in matters concerning state-owned enterprises."

"Just say whatever comes to mind. We're all family here, what are you afraid of? Besides, this isn't interrupting, it's offering advice, and fair advice at that."

“I think state-owned enterprises also need to change.” Liu Hua shook his head: “They must adapt to market competition; without competition, they will stagnate.”

“We already know all of this and are studying it. Now tell me something we don’t know.”

Liu Hua spread his hands: "Then I need to know what you know? Don't tell me that you already know everything."

The leader waved his hand: "Just say it. Whatever you say, we'll listen."

“I think we must abandon some enterprises and instead invest in key enterprises.” Liu Hua cleared his throat: “State-owned enterprises need to grow bigger and stronger. Some county-level textile factories and repair shops can be completely abandoned, and our limited resources and experience can be invested in more key and powerful enterprises.”

"Food, clothing, housing, and transportation—these are all essential to people's daily lives." The leader shook his head: "Wouldn't handing everything over to private companies increase the cost of living for ordinary people?"

"First, I'm not asking you to withdraw from these industries entirely. You can keep one or two to grow bigger and stronger, and they can also be used as a regulatory tool when necessary."

"Secondly, the entry barriers for businesses in these industries are relatively low, and competition will be fierce in the future. If prices are too high and people don't buy them, there are other options available."

The leader nodded: "That makes sense. Managing so many state-owned enterprises is indeed very stressful. We should invest our limited funds in key industries."

Liu Hua said with a smile, "If you think it makes sense, then I have another request: it would be best if those within the system did not easily interfere with the operation of private enterprises."

"Why? How could you have such an idea? Why would we interfere with your business operations?"

Liu Hua shook his head: "I've encountered this before. Didn't the leaders from that district bring Li Ka-shing to invest in my company? I had a strong background and was able to resist. Not every private enterprise can resist. The business owners have their own ideas. Whether it's good or bad, they will take responsibility. Whether they become successful or go bankrupt, it's all a natural law of the market."

(End of this chapter)