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

After nearly a month and countless late nights of writing, Zhou Jin's proposal report was finally finalized. The three heavy bound volumes, stacked together, were about half a foot high. Every word and sentence in the hundreds of pages was a testament to his hard work and foresight.

The report begins by establishing the historical context, titled "China's Opportunities and Responses under the Global Technological Revolution," first tracing the evolution of the Third Technological Revolution and highlighting that 2006 was a critical juncture in technological iteration—traditional industries were transforming into digital entities, and emerging technologies were moving from the laboratory to industrialization. It then analyzes the international situation with detailed data: the United States, with its absolute advantage in semiconductors and software, dominates the formulation of global technology rules; while companies like Apple and Microsoft, though currently at a low market capitalization, have already positioned themselves in future sectors such as mobile internet and cloud services; Europe maintains its lead in precision manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, but its research and development efficiency is insufficient; Japan has a strong foundation in the electronics industry but faces the dilemma of declining innovation vitality. Meanwhile, global capital is accelerating its concentration in high-potential technology companies, providing a window of opportunity for low-cost investment in high-quality targets.

In the domestic situation analysis section, Zhou Jin affirmed the strategic layout of the National Medium- and Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), while also directly addressing shortcomings: high dependence on foreign core technologies, with key areas such as high-end chips and operating systems being controlled by others; insufficient investment in enterprise innovation, with the technology transfer rate only half that of developed countries; and limited support from the capital market for the technology industry, lacking long-term capital empowerment. However, he also pointed out China's advantages—a huge market demand, a growing reserve of scientific research talent, and the country's promotion of the "going global" strategy, which create conditions for participating in global technological competition and integrating international resources.

The core of the report is the specific implementation path, which Zhou Jin breaks down into four main sections:

First, we should build a collaborative innovation system integrating government, industry, academia, research, and application. It is recommended to rely on universities and research institutions to focus on core areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and new energy to establish national-level laboratories; set up special funds to support enterprises in digesting, absorbing, and re-innovating imported technologies; implement tax deductions for eligible R&D investments; and implement tax incentives for high-tech enterprises.

Secondly, improve the science and technology financial support mechanism. Promote the establishment of venture capital guidance funds to guide social capital to seed-stage and early-stage technology companies; encourage commercial banks to carry out intellectual property rights pledge loans to solve the financing difficulties of small and medium-sized technology enterprises; take advantage of the adjustment of foreign exchange management policies to relax restrictions on foreign exchange purchases for overseas investment by enterprises and support qualified enterprises to carry out overseas technology mergers and acquisitions and capital layout.

Third, it emphasizes the strategic positioning of high-quality global technology assets. The document explicitly proposes utilizing state-owned capital platforms with international operational capabilities (such as Huayao) to conduct overseas equity investments within a compliant framework. It highlights companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, analyzing their current low stock prices despite strong technological barriers and significant future growth potential. The document recommends a diversified investment and long-term holding strategy to both benefit from the growth of technology companies and accumulate technological and capital resources for domestic industrial upgrading.

Fourth, strengthen the development of the talent pool. It is recommended to reform the talent evaluation mechanism, focusing on innovative achievements and actual contributions; implement the "Overseas High-end Talent Repatriation Program" to provide research start-up funds and living security for returning talents; and strengthen the cultivation of scientific literacy in basic education to build up future innovative forces.

At the end of the report, Zhou Jin attached a detailed risk assessment and contingency plan, emphasizing that overseas investments must strictly adhere to national industrial policies and foreign exchange management regulations, establish a professional investment decision-making and risk control team, and avoid blindly following trends. The entire report is logically rigorous and data-rich, not only aligning with the policy environment and objective conditions of 2006, but also accurately predicting the technological development trends of the next decade, without any sense of being ahead of its time.

Late that night, Zhou Jin locked the three reports into a specially made confidential document box and dialed Qin Gang's number.

Qin Gang arrived at the office quickly and his eyes sharpened when he saw the file box on the desk. Having followed Zhou Jin for many years, from Kyoto to Yancheng, he knew the young mayor's style well; such a solemn document must be of great importance.

"Qin Gang," Zhou Jin said sternly, "you must go to Kyoto immediately and personally deliver this file box to my father. Tell him that you must hand it over to the old chief in person. Remember, there must be no mishaps during the journey, and the document must not pass through the hands of a third party."

Qin Gang took the file box with both hands, held it tightly to his chest, and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, young master."

This address of "Young Master" is his unchanging way of addressing Zhou Jin in private, carrying the weight of years of trust and loyalty. In public, he is the cautious and discreet secretary to the mayor; in private, he is Zhou Jin's capable assistant who protects and safeguards him.

"Be careful on the road and keep a low profile," Zhou Jin added. "Once you arrive in Kyoto, contact your family driver and have him take you to the old house. After you've finished your business, don't rush back. Rest in Kyoto for a couple of days before rejoining the team."

"Understood." Qin Gang nodded, without saying anything more. He knew that any further instructions were superfluous at this moment; completing the mission was the most important thing.

Watching Qin Gang disappear into the night with the file box, Zhou Jin stood by the window, motionless for a long time. The lights of Baota Mountain outside remained lit, but his heart was filled with turmoil. This report was what he could do for the country; whether it would be adopted or how much impact it would have was beyond his control, but he had fulfilled his responsibility.

He turned back to his desk, where the progress log for the construction of a service-oriented government in Yancheng City lay. He took a deep breath, bringing his thoughts back to the work at hand. The matter in Kyoto had been entrusted to others, but the development of Yancheng City still required his solid, step-by-step progress.

The document box was already on its way, carrying a time traveler's hopes for the future of the country, heading towards Kyoto. Meanwhile, under the lights of Yan City, Zhou Jin picked up his pen once more and wrote down new work arrangements in his ledger; in the night, his figure grew even more resolute.