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

As soon as Zhou Jin finished her report, the brief silence in the conference room was broken by a chorus of discussions. The Standing Committee members picked up copies of the plan and, considering the actual situation in Yan City, raised a series of incisive questions.

The municipal party committee member in charge of industry spoke first, his tone somewhat serious: "Comrade Zhou Jin, your plan mentions promoting the technical upgrade of crude oil recovery rate at Yanchang Petroleum Group in 2006 and piloting intelligent mining. I understand that the equipment and technology threshold for intelligent mining are not low, and our local technical team simply cannot handle it. Won't the technology companies from Hong Kong ask for exorbitant prices?"

Zhou Jin was prepared and calmly responded: "We have already considered this issue. First, the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, which I am in contact with, has companies specializing in oil extraction technology. Their technology has been successfully applied in Southeast Asian oil fields and is very cost-effective. Second, we are not directly purchasing equipment, but adopting a 'technology-for-equity' cooperation model. The company will contribute its technology as equity in the technology upgrade project, and we will share the profits in the future. This will reduce our initial investment risk. Third, Yanchang Petroleum itself has a certain amount of technological accumulation, and cooperation between the two parties can also cultivate a group of local technical talents, achieving a combination of 'bringing in' and 'retaining' them."

These words were clear and logical, dispelling the other party's concerns. The Standing Committee member in charge of culture and tourism then asked, "The red tourism study tour route needs to exceed 5 visitors. There are less than eleven months left in 2006. Our supporting facilities, such as accommodation and catering at the study tour bases, as well as the training of tour guides, are not keeping up."

"What you've described is exactly the key point of the 'basic support' section of our plan." Zhou Jin turned to the corresponding page in the plan. "First, we will integrate the idle cave dwellings and homestays around Zaoyuan and Yangjialing, carry out standardized renovations, and quickly improve our reception capacity; second, we will collaborate with the History Department of Yancheng University to conduct specialized training for tour guides, inviting veteran revolutionaries and experts in Party history to give lectures, ensuring the professionalism and appeal of the tours; finally, cultural and tourism enterprises in Xiangjiang will help us design study tour courses and develop supporting cultural and creative products, forming a complete chain of 'courses + experiences + cultural and creative products' to attract more teams to Yancheng."

As the discussion deepened, the questions from the Standing Committee members covered all aspects of the plan, ranging from the management of collapsible loess in the new district to the site selection of an apple cold chain logistics center; from fundraising for the industrial transformation special fund to the long-term mechanism for ecological restoration. Zhou Jin patiently answered all questions, each response closely linked to the actual findings of the investigation, offering both macro-level insights and concrete measures, which further convinced the Standing Committee members present of the plan's feasibility.

Looking at the plan, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee remarked, "What's most commendable about this plan is that it avoids both being overly ambitious and complacent. In particular, the move to leverage Hong Kong's resources is brilliant. It not only solves our problems of capital and technology shortages but also opens up export channels for Yancheng's products, truly achieving mutual benefit and win-win results."

The secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission nodded in agreement: "What I'm concerned about is the risk prevention and control part. The plan clearly defines a supervision and assessment mechanism of 'monthly scheduling, quarterly reporting, and annual summary,' and also incorporates the completion of tasks into the annual assessment of counties, districts, and departments. This can effectively prevent the plan from being 'just talk on paper' and ensure that all tasks are implemented."

Seeing that the Standing Committee members had reached a consensus, Secretary Li Xiangming raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, his gaze sweeping steadily across the room: "Comrades, the discussion just now was very thorough, and Comrade Zhou Jin's answers were also very insightful. This 'Yancheng City 2006-2010 High-Quality Development 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' Implementation Plan' is the result of Comrade Zhou Jin leading a team to conduct in-depth research, widely solicit opinions, and repeatedly refine the plan. It is based on Yancheng City's resource endowment, aligns with the national development strategy, and incorporates market-oriented operational ideas. It is a well-thought-out plan that can withstand scrutiny."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly firm: "Now, I propose a vote on this draft plan. Those who agree, please raise your hands."

As soon as the words were spoken, the standing committee members in the meeting room all raised their right hands, their arms raised in unison, indicating that the decision had been unanimously approved.

Applause erupted, and Secretary Li Xiangming gestured for everyone to stop. He then proceeded to give an overall plan: "The plan has been approved. Now it's time to 'roll up our sleeves and get to work.' To ensure the plan is implemented effectively, I propose the establishment of a Leading Group for the Implementation of the Yan'an City 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan,' with myself as the group leader, Comrade Zhou Jin as the executive deputy group leader, all standing committee members and vice mayors as deputy group leaders, and the principal leaders of all districts, counties, and departments as members."

He looked at Zhou Jin and added, "The leading group has four special working groups: the Industrial Transformation Working Group, the Urban and Rural Infrastructure Working Group, the Ecological and Livelihood Working Group, and the Resource Allocation Working Group. Comrade Zhou Jin will lead these groups. Based on today's discussion, we should clarify the responsibilities and personnel composition of each working group as soon as possible. The Industrial Transformation Working Group will focus on energy upgrading, the apple industry, and red tourism; the Urban and Rural Infrastructure Working Group will focus on the planning of the new area and transportation construction; the Ecological and Livelihood Working Group will be responsible for returning farmland to forest, restoring green areas in mining areas, and ensuring people's livelihood; and the Resource Allocation Working Group will specifically liaise with the Hong Kong delegation and various external resources to secure policy and financial support."

"Furthermore," Li Xiangming emphasized, "the leading group should establish a 'weekly meeting and monthly scheduling' system, holding a work meeting once a week and issuing a progress report once a month to promptly resolve problems encountered during the implementation of the plan. All districts, counties, and departments should proactively take on tasks, formulate detailed implementation plans, and ensure that all targets are met without fail."

He concluded by emphasizing, "Yancheng's 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' is a period of both opportunities and challenges. This plan is a promise we have made to all the people of the city. I hope everyone can work together as one, with a shared vision and concerted effort, and under Comrade Zhou Jin's leadership, transform this blueprint into tangible results, allowing this revolutionary holy site to radiate new vitality!"

"We will resolutely implement this!" the Standing Committee members responded in unison, their voices firm and resolute.

After the meeting, Zhou Jin was kept behind by Secretary Li Xiangming. Li Xiangming patted him on the shoulder, his tone full of expectation: "Comrade Zhou Jin, you have a heavy responsibility. The framework of the leading group has been set up, and the specific work to come will depend on your hard work. The Hong Kong inspection team will be coming next month, so you need to hurry up and coordinate with the province to make this investment promotion conference a grand event of 'province-wide linkage and mutual benefit'."

Zhou Jin nodded solemnly: "Please rest assured, Secretary Li, I will do my utmost!"

Stepping out of the municipal party committee office building, Zhou Jin looked up at the horizon. The setting sun was slowly sinking, painting the outline of Pagoda Hill in a golden-red hue. He knew that from this moment on, the curtain had officially risen on Yancheng's "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" for development. And he, too, would embark on a magnificent journey of struggle on this red, fertile land.