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

"Zai Dong, this document of yours is quite bold!"

Zhou Haimin put down the document with a stern face. His hand trembled slightly as he took off his glasses. His gaze remained fixed on Chen Dong's face for a long time. He had been the secretary for so many years and had seen countless proposals, but this one was not just bold, it was groundbreaking.

Chen Dong's feasibility study on the economic reform of Tuocheng is not merely the establishment of a company, but rather a step into the deep waters of financial system reform, a test of the country's determination to reform.

The clause on "pilot foreign currency exchange and settlement" is essentially drawing a circle in Tuocheng. Foreign currencies such as US dollars can be freely exchanged and moved in and out of the circle, while the old rules remain outside the circle.

Three years ago, this idea would have cost you your head!

"Zai Dong, your proposal is too weighty, so weighty that even I, the Party Secretary of Tuocheng City and a member of the Provincial Standing Committee, dare not give you a definitive answer," Zhou Haimin said in a low voice, as if afraid of being overheard.

Chen Dong understood what Zhou Haimin meant. Once Zhou Haimin submitted the feasibility proposal to the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, it would be like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, and the ripples would spread outwards, reaching the capital, the central government, and the desks of the Chinese decision-makers.

"Secretary Zhou, you know I studied finance at America University," Chen Dong put down his teacup and looked Zhou Haimin in the eye frankly. "This document was written after my second brother Chen Zaisheng and I discussed it for a long time. All the suggestions in the document have policy basis and are within the framework of the Special Economic Zone."

"Secretary Zhou, looking at developed metropolises around the world, they all prioritize industry over finance. However, with the changing times, capitalists like America have begun to shift their industries to third-world countries and wholeheartedly engage in the financial services industry to make quick money!"

"At this crucial turning point, it's not just China that's undergoing reforms; America and even Europe are also implementing reforms. The only difference is that they're deindustrializing and promoting environmental protection, while we're advocating for national salvation through industry!"

"Secretary Zhou, America is relocating some of its low-end manufacturing industries. I think this is a good opportunity for China, and also for our Tuocheng," Chen Dong said, lighting a cigarette. "Our Tuocheng is a special economic zone, and I personally believe that a special economic zone should have the awareness and responsibility of a special economic zone!"

"If we don't seize this opportunity while America and other Western countries are shifting their manufacturing industries, and quickly take over what these Western countries consider low-end industries, Southeast Asian and South American countries will act decisively, and American and other Western companies will invest their capital in those regions!"

"If we don't seize this opportunity, we'll only suffer the consequences, Secretary Zhou! We can not only develop ourselves, but also suppress the development of countries in Southeast Asia and South America, paving the way for the rise of China. In the future, China, with its manufacturing industry as its foundation, will surely stand at the top of the world once again!"

At this point, Chen Dong pointed to the document in front of Zhou Haimin and said, "Secretary Zhou, you said my document is bold, but it is bold because I was forced to do so by the current situation."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Our Tuocheng is currently holding a golden rice bowl but begging for food. Overseas Chinese have billions or even tens of billions of yuan in funds that they want to bring back, but because there are no formal financial channels, the money can't come in. Local businesses are desperately in need of funding and want to expand production but can't get loans," Chen Dong pointed out Tuocheng's current predicament.

Many people may not understand why the central government of China would establish a special economic zone in Tuocheng, a place that is neither close to Hong Kong nor Taiwan. The people of Tuocheng themselves jokingly call it the "tail end of the province and the national team," because it is extremely remote.

But don't forget that Tuocheng is a hometown of overseas Chinese, and in Southeast Asia, Chinese people dominate the economy and hold huge amounts of liquid capital. Do these overseas Chinese want to go home and invest? Of course they do!

From the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China, a large number of Tuocheng people who went to Southeast Asia to make a living continuously sent remittances back to Tuocheng. Relying on these remittances, Tuocheng deepened its blood ties with overseas Chinese. They were Tuocheng people who never forgot their homeland.

In many places in Tuocheng, there are stories of overseas Chinese donating to build bridges and roads. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, China's policies toward Tuocheng were unclear, and overseas Chinese dared not return to invest on a large scale. In addition, with several financial crises and tightened credit, Tuocheng missed one development opportunity after another.

"The purpose of establishing the Tuocheng Trust is to build a 'financial canal.' The People's Bank of China holds a major stake, which guarantees the country's supervision and credit. I provide the capital and technology to ensure professional and flexible operation. This billion US dollars is just a starting point. I want to use it to leverage the return of capital from the Tuocheng business community throughout Southeast Asia."

Chen Dong's ambition caught the eye of Zhou Haimin, the municipal party secretary. Zhou shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Zai Dong, to be honest, even I, as the municipal party secretary, don't have as much confidence in the future development of Tuocheng as you, a patriotic overseas Chinese. I'm truly ashamed!"

"I will report your words verbatim to the provincial party committee. As for this document of yours," Zhou Haimin said, pressing it down with his hand, "I'll keep it for now. Go back and wait for news. I need to report to the provincial party committee and communicate with the provincial branch of the People's Bank of China."

Chen Dong nodded. "Okay, Secretary Zhou, then I'll wait for your good news!"

Throughout the entire process, Chen Dong did not mention a single word about the various economic scams that were currently occurring in various parts of Tuocheng. These were merely minor issues, and the government only needed to intervene slightly to crush them all on the spot like bedbugs with the iron fist of the state.

After Chen Dong left, Zhou Haimin sat alone behind his desk, reviewing the feasibility study document that Chen Dong had brought again. This time he read it very slowly, going through each point and word carefully, afraid of missing any key details. Zhou Haimin couldn't make a decision about whether to introduce overseas funds to revitalize China's current domestic predicament.

After thinking for a long time, Zhou Haimin finally picked up the red phone on the table and dialed the number of Ding Zhuo, the provincial party secretary. The call was quickly answered, and Ding Zhuo's calm voice came through, "This is Ding Zhuo. Who is this?"

"Secretary Ding, this is Zhou Haimin. I have important work to report to you." Zhou Haimin relayed Chen Dong's suggestions to Ding Zhuo, the provincial party secretary, in detail. Ding Zhuo remained silent for a long time on the other end of the phone.

"Comrade Haimin," Ding Zhuo's voice was grave, "I believe it's necessary to discuss the feasibility of this document at a provincial standing committee meeting first. You should personally deliver it to the provincial party committee!"

"Okay, Secretary Ding, I'll take a plane to Huadu tomorrow!"

As Chen Dong walked out of the municipal party committee compound, looking at the clear sky, he couldn't help but sigh that the weather in Tuocheng was truly nourishing. He glanced back at the municipal party committee building and smiled confidently. He believed that the top leadership of China would give his proposal serious consideration.

A breeze begins with a ripple on the water, and a wave is formed from a gentle ripple.

Times are progressing, and the future of Tuocheng is about to arrive!