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

On February 1, 2006, the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival had already quietly permeated the streets of Yancheng City, but the atmosphere in the Party Group meeting room of the Municipal Government was serious and the room was packed. Zhou Jin, dressed in a dark suit, distributed the "Yancheng City 2006-2010 High-Quality Development 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' Implementation Plan (Draft)" to the Party Group members present, his gaze sweeping steadily over everyone: "Comrades, this plan is the initial draft we have formed over the past two weeks, combining actual research with coordination with external resources. The reason I invited you all here today is to pool our wisdom, offer more opinions, and identify more problems."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of pages turning filled the conference room. Zhou Jin didn't rush to speak, but waited for everyone to look through the pages for ten minutes before picking up the microphone and beginning her explanation chapter by chapter.

"Let's start with the industrial transformation sector." He pointed to the four articles on the PPT: "Red, Yellow, Green, and Black." "For red tourism, we can no longer follow the old path of 'seeing cave dwellings and listening to stories.' We need to create immersive experiences, build a cultural and creative product system, and establish an official website to attract visitors. This is a model borrowed from the mature tourism model of Hong Kong. For green agriculture, the core is the 'Yanshi Apple' regional public brand. We will build standardized demonstration parks, develop cold chain logistics and deep processing, and turn 'land price' into 'brand price.' For black energy, the focus is on clean energy and industrial chain extension. We will upgrade technology to improve crude oil recovery, pilot coal gangue brick making, and simultaneously develop photovoltaic and wind power. This is in response to the national new energy strategy."

A deputy mayor was the first to raise his hand, his tone tinged with doubt: "Mayor Zhou, the apple processing and photovoltaic power plants you mentioned both require substantial funds and technology, which we can't provide locally. What makes Hong Kong companies think they can compete?"

"Good question." Zhou Jin nodded approvingly. "First, we have high-quality resources. The quality of Yanshi apples is comparable to imported ones, and the uniqueness of our red tourism is something Hong Kong doesn't have. This is the foundation for cooperation. Second, we are talking about market-oriented cooperation, not 'asking for money.' Hong Kong companies can make money by investing, and we can develop. It's a win-win situation. Third, I am dealing with an inspection team led by the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. They are all reputable and powerful companies, not speculative capital."

Another Party member in charge of ecology then asked, "The targets of returning 10 mu of farmland to forest and restoring 500 mu of mining areas to greenery are tight on time and demanding, with insufficient funds and seedlings. How can we guarantee their completion?"

"I considered this issue during my research," Zhou Jin said, opening the guarantee section of the plan. "First, we will strive for the national special subsidy for the revitalization of old revolutionary base areas, which is a policy dividend; second, we will introduce ecological restoration companies to participate in the revegetation of mining areas, adopting the 'whoever restores, benefits' model, allowing companies to develop understory economy on the restored land; finally, in terms of seedlings, we will sign procurement agreements with nurseries in surrounding counties and districts, giving priority to local tree species to reduce costs."

The meeting lasted three hours. From quantifying indicators to defining responsibilities, from fundraising to risk prevention, Party members took turns asking questions, which Zhou Jin patiently answered one by one. When a comrade expressed concern about the difficulty of managing the collapsible loess in the new district's planning, he presented technical data collected during his research, explaining that he had already connected with experts from the Provincial Academy of Building Research. When a comrade raised questions about the coverage of the "two exemptions and one subsidy" policy for livelihood security, he clearly stated that he would conduct a special inspection in conjunction with the Education Bureau to ensure that no household was left out.

The process of critical thinking is also a process of building consensus. Some comrades initially had doubts about the plan of this "parachuted" mayor, but after listening to the detailed explanation and seeing the practical measures in the plan, their concerns gradually dissipated.

Finally, the meeting's chairperson, the executive vice mayor, summarized: "This plan is both insightful and practical, grounded in the realities of Yan'an City while also leveraging external resources. It is a truly excellent plan. I suggest that it be approved in principle, and after revisions and improvements based on today's discussions, submitted to the Municipal Party Committee for review."

The entire audience unanimously raised their hands in approval, and thunderous applause erupted.

After the meeting, Zhou Jin took the revised plan and went straight to the office of Li Xiangming, the municipal party secretary.

Li Xiangming was reviewing documents at his desk when he saw him come in. He stood up with a smile and said, "The plan was approved? I knew it. Your well-researched plan would definitely convince everyone."

Zhou Jin placed the plan on her desk, briefly reported on the discussions at the Party Group meeting, and explained each of the proposed revisions. Li Xiangming flipped through the pages, nodding occasionally, and paying particular attention to the sections on industrial transformation and resource integration.

"Great," Li Xiangming put down the plan, his tone full of admiration. "Your approach truly achieves adaptation to local conditions and leveraging external resources for development. In particular, it avoids reliance on a single source of capital and instead connects with the resources of Hong Kong's Chamber of Commerce, which is both compliant and efficient, even more comprehensive than I expected. Whether Yancheng's 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' can get off to a good start depends on this plan."

He paused, then said, "Here's what we'll do: in three days, we'll convene a meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee. You'll give a special report, clearly explaining the ideas, goals, and measures of this plan to the Standing Committee members. Once the Standing Committee approves it, we'll officially print and issue it, and begin full-scale implementation."

Zhou Jin nodded in agreement, then remembered something else and added, "Secretary Li, there's something else I'd like to report to you. A delegation led by the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce will be visiting Yancheng at the beginning of next month. They've come all this way, which isn't easy. I was wondering if it would be possible for the province to coordinate and organize other cities to send representatives with their high-quality products to participate in the matchmaking event?"

"Oh? Tell me your thoughts." Li Xiangming became interested.

"Yancheng has limited resources, and relying on just one company, we might not be able to retain so many Hong Kong companies. If the province organizes other cities to come, we can showcase the electronics from Xianyang, the equipment manufacturing from Baoji, and the specialty agricultural products from Weinan. This will not only give the Hong Kong delegation more choices but also secure more cooperation opportunities for Shaanxi Province. In this way, not only Yancheng will benefit, but the entire province will also benefit," Zhou Jin said sincerely.

Li Xiangming's eyes lit up, and he patted him on the shoulder: "Great idea! That's a grand vision! Your idea not only reflects Yancheng's sense of responsibility but also aligns with the province's development strategy. I'll coordinate this. I'll call Secretary Qin right away and try to get the province to take the lead in organizing this meeting."

He picked up the proposal, glanced at it again, and said with a smile, "I'll keep this proposal for my study. Go back and prepare your report for the Standing Committee. Prepare well; I look forward to your excellent speech at the Standing Committee meeting."

Zhou Jin rose to take his leave. As he walked out of the municipal party committee office building, the winter sun shone down on his shoulders. He looked up at the distant Pagoda Hill, his resolve growing stronger. The revitalization of Yancheng City had already taken its first solid step.