Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"This is the current state of the city's finances; the amount of money we can squeeze out is really limited!"

As soon as Tan Youlin, the director of the Municipal Finance Bureau, finished speaking, all the members of the Standing Committee in the conference room fell silent, waiting quietly for Zhou Haimin, the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, to speak.

Although Tuocheng is a special economic zone and its GDP ranks among the top in Guangdong Province, the overall economy of China is also sluggish these days. An 800 million yuan project requires at least 200 million yuan to be invested in the early stages alone. Such a huge hole is difficult to plan even for someone with a sharp mind.

Mayor Guo Hengwen pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhou Haimin on his right. He knew that his old partner must have been well-prepared to bring up the matter of renovating the Xiaogongyuan area at the Standing Committee meeting today.

Zhou Haimin is a man who always plans things out before he acts. He would never reveal his true intentions at the Standing Committee meeting unless he was at least 80% certain.

As Guo Hengwen had predicted, Zhou Haimin took out a specially supplied cigarette from the pack, lit it, took a puff, and then looked at everyone and said, "I know about the city's financial difficulties, and I believe that all of you standing committee members here are also aware of them. But just because of these difficulties, are we going to let the old city continue to deteriorate and leave it for future generations to solve?"

"This is not the style of our Party! Anyone can complain, but I don't want to hear complaints, I won't complain, and I certainly don't want you cadres to complain to me about every little difficulty you encounter!"

"The country and the people have given you, as leading cadres, the power to govern local areas, not to complain to the people!"

"You were hired to solve the problem!"

With that, Zhou Haimin slammed the matchbox onto the table. "Comrades, the country is now undergoing economic reform and opening up. The good old days of sitting in offices waiting for approvals and funding are gone forever!"

"As cadres, we must keep up with the pace of the new era. Must we really rely on the municipal government's finances for the renovation of our old town?"

"Just recently, the pilot renovation project for the shantytown on Huanghe North Road in Nanshan District was approved," Zhou Haimin said, pointing to Lin Deying, the Party Secretary of Nanshan District. "Comrade Deying, how much of the Nanshan District government's budget was allocated to the Huanghe North Road shantytown renovation project?"

Lin Deying shook his head and replied, "Secretary Zhou, regarding our Huanghe North Road shantytown renovation project in Nanshan District, the district did not invest a single penny. The demolition compensation and subsequent construction costs of the residential buildings were all funded by Huaxing Real Estate. As for the completion of the residential buildings, all the standing committee members are aware of the contingency plan, so I will not elaborate here."

"The government provides the land, and private enterprises provide the capital. If there is competition from multiple parties, a bidding and auction process will be held. This model has already been implemented in other provinces," Zhou Haimin said, pointing to the table and looking at the Standing Committee members. "Our Tuocheng is a giant ship at the forefront of the reform and opening-up tide, and you are the captains of this giant ship. If inland cadres can think of doing this, why can't you?"

Zhou Haimin didn't continue speaking, because his next sentence would be a direct curse. These people simply didn't want to take responsibility. If it weren't for Zhou Haimin breaking the ice today, the Xiaogongyuan area would probably continue to rot.

As the second-in-command of Tuocheng, Guo Hengwen immediately responded after Zhou Haimin brought the topic to light, saying, "Secretary Haimin's words are worth pondering by us cadres. We can no longer use the mindset of the planned economy to deal with various problems. All leaders and cadres in Tuocheng must change their thinking."

"How about this, Secretary Haimin, using the renovation of the Huanghe North Road shantytown in Nanshan District as a model, first let the comrades from the Municipal Construction Bureau go down to investigate and explore the specific situation, and the Provincial Party Committee also needs to report and explain."

The other standing committee members remained silent, continuing to watch Zhou Haimin and waiting for the top leader to speak. Zhou Haimin nodded. "Comrade Hengwen's suggestion is excellent. I will personally go to Huadu to explain the specific situation to Secretary Ding regarding the provincial party committee."

"Now, we need to reach a consensus. Comrade Hanqiang, please explain your installment plan in more detail."

Guo Hanqiang nodded and was about to stand up to speak when Zhou Haimin waved him down, indicating that he could sit down and speak. Guo Hanqiang then cleared his throat, opened his notebook, and said, "Leaders, my preliminary phased plan is as follows: In the first phase, we will select areas with relatively simple property rights for pilot implementation."

"For example, the area around the port authority dormitory is a unit-owned housing complex, so the scope is small and the initial demolition is less difficult. The investment for this phase is estimated to be between 80 million and 100 million yuan. If all goes well, the demolition and infrastructure construction can be completed within a year, and the new houses can be delivered within two years."

"The second phase will expand to the surrounding units' housing and public housing areas. The investment for this phase is expected to be 200 to 300 million yuan, with a cycle of two to three years. With the first phase as a model, the negotiations for this phase should be much smoother, and the public's resistance will not be so strong."

"The third phase is the most difficult to tackle, involving private and overseas Chinese-owned houses. This phase requires the largest investment and has the longest cycle. However, with the experience from the first two phases and the gradual delivery of newly built houses, the resettlement pressure will be much less. That concludes my remarks, Secretary Zhou."

"Yes," Zhou Haimin nodded, looking at everyone, "Regarding the three-phase plan proposed by Comrade Hanqiang, you can all raise any different opinions you have, and let's brainstorm together to solve this major problem."

Guo Hengwen was the first to speak, saying, "Comrade Hanqiang's three-step strategy is very much in line with the current predicament facing Tuocheng. Each step will yield results and accumulate experience. I agree!"

Liu Guangyuan, the full-time deputy secretary, then raised his hand to speak, "Comrade Hanqiang's approach is correct. Starting with the easy parts and progressing to the difficult ones step by step, every step is taken very solidly. I agree!"

Ma Shenlin, director of the Municipal Planning Commission, raised his hand with a smile and said, "Regarding the renovation of the old city area of ​​Tuocheng, our Planning Commission supports it. As for the specific implementation plan, our Planning Commission will not offer any opinions!"

Senior Colonel Fang Zhenhua of the military sub-district also raised his hand and said, "Our military sub-district supports any local economic development efforts, but we will not comment on any specific implementation plans!"

The military sub-district and the planning commission both abstained, which Zhou Haimin understood. He looked up at the remaining standing committee members and asked, "What are your opinions?"

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

"I agree!"

"..."

With the exception of two abstentions, the rest were all in favor. Zhou Haimin was very satisfied. "Comrades, without destruction there can be no construction. Today, our Standing Committee has unanimously decided to approve the renovation project of the old city. I will now make the following arrangements."