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

The atmosphere in the meeting room of the Yancheng Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee was solemn and dignified. At either end of the long conference table, the members of the Standing Committee were seated, their gazes all fixed on Zhou Jin, who sat beside the head of the table. Outside the window, the Pagoda Hill was covered in a thin layer of snow, a stark contrast to the warmth of the indoor heating, adding to the somber atmosphere.

Secretary Li Xiangming tapped the table lightly and announced in a deep voice: "Today's Standing Committee meeting has only one agenda item—to hear Comrade Zhou Jin's special report on the draft of Yancheng City's 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' for development. Now, please welcome Comrade Zhou Jin to speak."

Zhou Jin stood up, nodded slightly, and then opened the documents and PPT in front of her. Her voice was steady and powerful as she began her report in a clear and organized manner: "Distinguished members of the Standing Committee, I will now give you a detailed report on the 'Implementation Plan (Draft) for High-Quality Development of Yancheng City during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan Period (2006-2010),' focusing on three aspects: core objectives, key tasks, and resource guarantees."

"First, let's look at our core objectives." He clicked the mouse, and striking quantitative indicators appeared on the screen. "Over the next five years, we aim to achieve three core breakthroughs: First, a breakthrough in industrial transformation, completing the initial phase of clean energy development, establishing a red tourism brand, and upgrading the apple industry; second, a breakthrough in urban and rural landscape, implementing the 'central decentralization and outward expansion' plan for the new district and improving the infrastructure network; and third, a breakthrough in ecological and livelihood development, increasing forest and grassland coverage to 45% and achieving an average annual growth of over 12% in urban and rural residents' income. Ultimately, we aim to achieve an average annual GDP growth rate of 15%, ensuring that this revolutionary holy site not only preserves its red roots but also keeps pace with development."

As soon as he finished speaking, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee sitting on the left nodded slightly, picked up his pen, and quickly wrote down the two key figures, "15% growth rate and 45% forest and grassland coverage rate," in his notebook. The standing committee member in charge of agriculture adjusted his glasses, his gaze lingering on the relevant statements about the upgrading of the apple industry, as if deep in thought.

Zhou Jin continued her report, focusing on the annual tasks for the five-year period: "2006 is the starting year, with the core focus on 'laying the foundation.' In terms of industry, we will promote the technical transformation of Yanchang Petroleum, increasing the crude oil recovery rate to 18%; register the 'Yanchang Apple' regional public brand, adding 2 mu of standardized plantations; restore the core sites of Yangjialing and Zaoyuan, and launch the first red-themed study tour route; at the same time, we will start the site selection for photovoltaic power stations to seize the opportunity of new energy. In terms of infrastructure, we will draft the initial plan for the new district and complete the hardening of 300 kilometers of village roads. In terms of ecology and people's livelihood, we will complete the conversion of 10 mu of farmland back to forest and implement the 'two exemptions and one subsidy' policy for compulsory education in rural areas."

He deliberately slowed down his speech to explain: "These tasks were not set out of thin air. During our research, we found that the technical transformation technology of Yanchang Petroleum is already mature, and we only need to coordinate with enterprises to increase investment; the standardized planting of apples has the foundation of the transformation of old orchards in Luochuan and Huangling, and farmers are very enthusiastic; the restoration of revolutionary sites can quickly enhance tourism carrying capacity. These are all hard tasks that can be implemented and have a tangible effect within the year."

The secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, sitting on the right, leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze fixed on the "quantitative indicators" column, seemingly checking the feasibility of the task; the Minister of Organization was flipping through the copy of the plan in his hand, drawing a circle next to "5000 people receiving labor skills training", clearly paying special attention to the part on people's livelihood security.

"The years 2007 to 2009 were the years of deepening our efforts, with a focus on 'expanding scale and improving quality'," Zhou Jin continued in her report. "In the energy sector, we completed an LNG project and a 1000-kilowatt photovoltaic power station, increasing the local coal conversion rate from the current 15% to 25%; in the cultural tourism sector, we created the immersive red-themed drama 'Return to Yanshi,' linking the Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum and Hukou Waterfall to create a multi-faceted route, striving to exceed 10 million tourist visits; in the agricultural sector, we built a cold chain logistics center, developed fruit juice and dried fruit, and further extended to high-end products such as fruit wine and fruit vinegar; in urban and rural construction, the construction of the northern section of the Yanshi New Area was launched, and the Yanshi-Anse Expressway was advanced, ensuring that all townships have access to paved roads."

He emphasized, "The key to these three years is resource integration. We have already contacted the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, and a delegation will be visiting Yan'an early next month to focus on connecting with cultural tourism IP development, apple deep processing technology, and new energy project investment. At the same time, we plan to establish a 5 million yuan special fund for industrial transformation, and introduce Hong Kong investment institutions to participate to address the funding gap."

Upon hearing about the "Hong Kong inspection team" and the "5 million yuan special fund," the Standing Committee members became even more focused. Secretary Li Xiangming put down his pen, his eyes sharply fixed on the resource matching list on the screen, occasionally exchanging glances with the Executive Vice Mayor beside him; the Standing Committee member in charge of industry took out his mobile phone and quickly recorded key data on the LNG project and photovoltaic power station, clearly planning the subsequent coordination work.

"2010 is the final year, and the core focus is on 'consolidating achievements and promoting improvement'." Zhou Jin's report was drawing to a close. "By then, the installed capacity of new energy should exceed 50 kilowatts, accounting for 15% of the city's total installed power capacity; the brand value of 'Yanshi Apples' should exceed 50 billion yuan, and they should be exported to Southeast Asia; the comprehensive income from red tourism should exceed 5 billion yuan; the built-up area of ​​the new district should reach 10 square kilometers, supporting a population of 10; the forest and grassland coverage rate should be stabilized at 45%; the per capita net income of farmers should exceed 4000 yuan; and the per capita disposable income of urban residents should exceed 1.5 yuan."

A development blueprint for Yancheng City over the next five years appeared on the screen, clearly outlining the red tourism route, apple industry belt, new energy base, and new district plan. Zhou Jin summarized, "The core logic of the entire plan is to leverage Yancheng City's resource endowments of 'red heritage, green agriculture, and black energy,' while utilizing Hong Kong's market-oriented resources, technology, and channels to address our weaknesses and strengthen our advantages. Each task has quantifiable indicators and responsible entities to ensure its feasibility and measurability."

After finishing his report, Zhou Jin closed the document and sat down respectfully: "My report is now complete. I humbly request your criticism and suggestions."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room, broken only by the scratching of pens on paper. Some members of the Standing Committee were looking down at copies of the plan, some were frowning in thought, and some were exchanging a few words in hushed tones. Secretary Li Xiangming looked at the plan in his hand, then glanced at Zhou Jin, his eyes full of approval, clearly approving of this detailed, pragmatic, and forward-looking plan.

The snow outside the window gradually stopped, and sunlight streamed through the glass into the conference room, illuminating the copy of the plan on the table and the development path of Yan'an City for the next five years. An in-depth discussion centered on this blueprint was about to begin.