Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

On January 4, 2006, at the beginning of the new year, the pine and cypress trees in the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee compound were covered with a thin layer of snow, the air crisp yet solemn. Upon arriving in Xi'an, Zhou Jin and his entourage went directly to the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee to report for duty without stopping. Following organizational procedures, the Provincial Party Committee first held a brief introductory meeting, attended by Provincial Party Secretary Qin Zhenbang, Governor Wang Jianjun, Organization Department Minister Li Hongyuan, and other relevant leaders.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was both serious and harmonious. Old Chen, the cadre from the Organization Department of the Central Committee, first read out the appointment document from the Central Committee, confirming that Comrade Zhou Jin was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and nominated as a candidate for Mayor of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government.

After the document was read aloud, Secretary Qin Zhenbang spoke first, his tone earnest: "Comrade Zhou Jin is an outstanding cadre sent by the Central Committee. He is young and promising, with a rich resume, and has made outstanding contributions in Hong Kong. Yancheng is a revolutionary holy site. In the first year of the 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan,' we need cadres like Comrade Zhou Jin who have vision, ability, and a sense of responsibility to take on the main tasks. The Provincial Party Committee places high hopes on Comrade Zhou Jin and also hopes that the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee will fully support his work, unite and cooperate, and promote the development of Yancheng to a new level."

Zhou Jin stood up, bowed slightly, and then sat down, listening attentively to the instructions from the leaders. Governor Wang Jianjun added, "Comrade Zhou Jin understands finance and is good at operations, which is exactly what Yancheng urgently needs for its industrial transformation. The Provincial Party Committee will give Yancheng preferential treatment in terms of policies and funds. Go ahead and do your best. Report any difficulties to the Provincial Party Committee at any time."

After a brief meeting with the provincial party committee, Zhou Jin and his entourage, accompanied by the deputy director of the provincial party committee's organization department, drove to Yancheng City. The off-road vehicle wound its way through the gullies of the Loess Plateau; the winter ridges were solemn and serene, and the distant revolutionary sites appeared even more imposing against the white snow. At 3 p.m., the convoy arrived at the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee compound, where members of the municipal party committee were already waiting downstairs. Party Secretary Li Xiangming quickly stepped forward and shook hands warmly with Zhou Jin: "Comrade Zhou Jin, welcome to Yancheng! You must have had a long journey."

Secretary Li Xiangming stood tall and straight, with deep eyes. His handshake was firm and steady, exuding the humility and authority of a veteran leader. Zhou Jin quickly responded, "Secretary Li, comrades, I apologize for disturbing you. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

Subsequently, the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee convened a city-wide meeting of leading cadres to announce the appointment decisions of the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee. The meeting room was packed, with all cadres at or above the deputy division level in the city present, their eyes focused on the young mayor who had been "parachuted" in.

After the Deputy Minister of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department read out the appointment document, it was Zhou Jin's turn to speak. He stood up, his gaze slowly sweeping across the entire room, his tone calm and sincere, devoid of flowery language, only expressing his heartfelt sentiments:

"Distinguished leaders, comrades, good afternoon. Today, I stand here as the Deputy Secretary of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee and a candidate for Mayor. I am both excited and apprehensive. I am excited because I grew up listening to revolutionary stories, and Yancheng, this red land, has always held a sacred and profound place in my heart. Although I have served in Hong Kong for a long time, far from the mainland, my feelings for the old revolutionary base areas have never faded. Therefore, when the organization solicited opinions, I volunteered to go to the grassroots level and the old revolutionary base areas to do something practical for the people."

He paused, his tone becoming more humble: "I am apprehensive because, although I have eight years of experience working in Hong Kong, my experience has mainly focused on finance and economic coordination. I am still quite unfamiliar with grassroots governance and the specific situation in Yancheng. Yancheng has a profound revolutionary history, a solid industrial foundation, and a hardworking and dedicated cadre team. As a newcomer, I am sure there will be many things I need to adapt to and many questions I will not understand. Here, I earnestly request that all comrades provide more help, reminders, and supervision. I will definitely learn humbly, familiarize myself with the situation as soon as possible, and get into my role, combining Hong Kong's market-oriented thinking and international perspective with the realities of Yancheng. I will never engage in empty formalities or superficial work."

"The first year of the 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' is a crucial juncture for the development of Yancheng. I know that the aspirations of the people in the old revolutionary base area for a better life are our goals. In the future, I will immerse myself in the local life, going into the fields and factories to listen to everyone's voices. Together with Secretary Li, the municipal party committee, and all the cadres and people of the city, I will work diligently and conscientiously to contribute my share to Yancheng's industrial transformation, improvement of people's livelihoods, and inheritance of revolutionary traditions."

"Finally, I would like to thank the organization for its trust and all comrades for their welcome. I believe that under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, under the guidance of Secretary Li, and with the joint efforts of the entire city, Yan'an City will surely seize opportunities, overcome difficulties, and revitalize this revolutionary holy site. Please watch my actions!"

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause filled the conference room. The applause conveyed both anticipation and approval—this young mayor hadn't boasted about past glories or talked about grand plans; his words were full of humility and pragmatism, which dispelled the initial doubts of the officials present.

Secretary Li Xiangming then spoke, his tone firm: "Comrade Zhou Jin's remarks were very practical and sincere. Yancheng needs fresh blood and innovative ideas. Comrade Zhou Jin's arrival is a testament to the care and support of the Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee for Yancheng. I hope that all cadres and the masses in the city will support Comrade Zhou Jin's work, and that the Municipal Party Committee leadership will unite as one, each fulfilling their responsibilities and forming a cohesive force. I believe that with our joint efforts, Yancheng's tomorrow will be even better."

After the meeting, Li Xiangming specifically asked Zhou Jin to stay behind for a private conversation in his office. "Comrade Zhou Jin, your initiative to come to the old revolutionary base area is commendable," Li Xiangming said, handing her a cup of hot tea. "The situation in Yan'an is complex. We must safeguard our revolutionary heritage, focus on economic development, and address people's livelihood issues. You're new here, so don't rush into work. I've had the office prepare detailed information about the city for you. Familiarize yourself with the situation first, and next week we'll go down to conduct research together, visiting the revolutionary sites and apple orchards."

Zhou Jin quickly accepted the teacup and replied sincerely, "Thank you, Secretary Li, you've been so thoughtful. I was just about to ask you for your advice; I hope you can give me your continued guidance and oversight in the future."

The two talked for nearly an hour, discussing everything from the development of the cadre team in Yancheng to the pain points in industrial development, from the current state of red tourism to the bottlenecks in the apple industry. They got along very well. Zhou Jin could feel Secretary Li Xiangming's deep affection for Yancheng and his pragmatic style. Her initial slight unease gradually turned into a sense of reassurance.

As Zhou Jin stepped out of the municipal party committee office building, dusk was approaching. Qin Gang had already parked his car downstairs. Seeing Zhou Jin emerge, he quickly got out and opened the car door. Zhou Jin glanced back at the simple office building, then looked towards the distant, rolling loess plateau, silently thinking: Yancheng, I've arrived.