Reborn as a Noble's Son

The Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone has already received approval from the Bazhou City Planning Commission, but it has not yet undergone audit. This time, it serves as both the unveiling ceremony and an inspection by the city committee and government. Concurrently, it also carries a sense of learning opportunity.

Now, even though Liu Wenqing is admired by other cities, and his economic growth in the county below has earned praise from the district party committee and the Northwest Daily, it is said that “everyone knows their own bitterness,” as only insiders are aware of their own struggles. It may seem like Liu Wenqing’s leadership is effective, however, with every county below starting their development zones, and the city itself not having a development zone, this dilemma makes the Bazhou City leaders feel embarrassed.

This time, the inspection and unveiling carries a deeper significance, an investigatory visit by the city committee. Bazhou City’s decision to establish a development zone has pretty much been confirmed. Studying the experience of Li County will provide valuable references for Bazhou’s development zone and help in avoiding detours.

Li Cheng Avenue, the first road to start construction after the commencement of the Li County Development Zone project, is an impressive one. Running straight through the main road of Li County City and along Shengli Township, with a length of ten kilometers and six lanes in both directions, it exudes grandeur. Being the first road in the city to be named an avenue, it speaks volumes about Li County’s ambitions.

At this moment, although not completed, the wide-ranging view of the road surface and the bustling construction site have already displayed an aura of grandeur.

On the side of Li Cheng Avenue, the leaders of the Li County Committee and County Government, along with the members of the People’s Congress and the Political Consultative Conference, were already waiting. Around ten in the morning, the Bazhou City fleet appeared as expected, and the escort vehicle provided by Ku City Public Security Bureau turned around to leave, naturally followed by the Li County escort vehicle. Then, the first and second vehicles of the Bazhou City Committee stopped.

The car door opened, and Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo got out of the car. The presence of both the secretary of the city committee and the mayor was an honor, a pleasure, and at the same time a worry. After all, neglecting either wouldn’t be good.

At this moment, Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang hesitated for a moment, exchanged glances, and then when to welcome the dignitaries. Zhang Chubin even took the initiative to extend both hands with a warm greeting, “We welcome both Secretary Liu and Mayor Ding to our county for inspection and supervision.”

Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Secretary Liu, Mayor Ding, on behalf of Li County Government, I welcome all leaders to Li County.”

At this moment, Liu Wenqing also started laughing, pointing to the newly erected signboard, looking at the construction site next to it, and repeatedly nodding, “Mayor Ding, looking at the bustling construction site in Li County and the archway of Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone that welcomes you, it seems that our trip here was not in vain.”

Ding Aiguo also started laughing. In his view, Nie Zhenbang, Wu Zhixiong’s close associate, was part of his own faction. Now, with Nie Zhenbang serving as the county head, and making such a remarkable progress in Li County, this is a testament in itself, generating pride and recognition for his side.

“Hehe, Secretary Liu, you’re right. As the saying goes, ‘men must be renewed every three days.’ Now, this phrase fits Li County perfectly. In just a few months, Li County’s economic development has been so rapid it’s overwhelming. Ignorant people might even mistake us as being on the eastern coast.”

Ding Aiguo’s humorous comment made Liu Wenqing laugh-out-loud. Afterwards, looking at the construction site, Liu Wenqing said with a laugh, “We’re not in a hurry to go to the county committee. Since we’re already here, let’s first take a real look to appreciate the achievements of Li County Comrades’ hard work. This time, both Mayor Ding and I have come to learn.”

Concerning the affairs of the development zone, Zhang Chubin has only a vague understanding, while Nie Zhenbang is an expert. At this moment, without any prompt from Zhang Chubin, Nie Zhenbang took on the role of a narrator. He led Liu Wenqing, Ding Aiguo, and their entourage, explaining while walking, “Secretary Liu, Mayor Ding, currently, this area here is the core area of the development zone. Today, noteworthy underway projects are Li Cheng Avenue and other roads, such as Yingbin Road, Minzu Road, Unity Avenue, and Wuyi Road. Of these, we have three north-south roads—namely Li Cheng Avenue, Unity Avenue, and Wuyi Road—and two east-west roads, Yingbin Road and Minzu Road. The preliminary development area for our new district is temporarily set at six square kilometers. Once all five roads are constructed, the problem of road accessibility in our trio of projects will be resolved. Next, the Li County Government is considering allowing the Housing Construction Bureau, Municipal Services Company, Water Supply Company, and the Power Bureau to simultaneously undertake water and electricity connection projects along the newly constructed roads, ensuring road accessibility, water supply, power supply, and sanitation services are in place. Plus, preliminary ground leveling. After that, when the development zone team is available, I plan to set up a new department, the ‘Investment Promotion Bureau,’ specifically responsible for attracting investment to the development zone and the entire Li County.”

“Investment Promotion Bureau? That’s indeed a novel term. Director Nie, won’t this be overlapping with the functions of the Economic and Trade Commission?” Hearing this term, Ding Aiguo immediately asked questions. Ding Aiguo’s keen observation, stemming from his experience as a mayor, noticeably surpassed that of Liu Wenqing.

The function of the Economic and Trade Commission, on a national level, generally involves making macroeconomic policies, which are largely of a guiding nature. However, at the level of cities and counties, it is primarily responsible for attracting investment. Hence, this prompted Ding Aiguo’s question.

Next to him, Liu Wenqing also nodded and said, “Indeed, I wonder if we might be duplicating roles with the establishment of this investment promotion bureau.”

Nie Zhenbang subsequently laughed. The Investment Promotion Bureau, officially the Economic Investment Promotion Bureau, was established in various places across the country after the turn of the new century specifically to attract investment. Equivalent in rank to other government bureaus, it is mainly responsible for investment promotion in the area under the jurisdiction of the local government. To put it simply, it’s a department specifically dedicated to attracting investment.

Nie Zhenbang then explained: “Secretary Liu, Mayor Ding, the Investment Promotion Bureau is a completely new functional department. As economic development continues in the future, in order to maintain a link between enterprises, investors, and the government, it is necessary for such a department to assume this role. I believe that our government should also change its mindset; gradually shifting from being directive to becoming a guiding, service-oriented government. The Investment Promotion Bureau is responsible for attracting investment, liaising between enterprises and the government, and coordinating the relationship between the two. Moreover, compared to the Economic and Trade Commission, its functions are clearer, more targeted, and it can better complete investment promotion and social development work.”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Ding Aiguo instantly understood. The Economic and Trade Commission is responsible for this work, but for it, investment promotion is a completely new task and not the main task. There isn’t a clear evaluation standard for doing well or poorly. Now, if such a new department were to emerge, specifically responsible for this. It is different, the Investment Promotion Bureau, you are responsible for the work of attracting investment, if you don’t do well, this is your responsibility. Therefore, the people at work are motivated. Enterprises and investors can also feel a sense of passion and attention. After all, when you arrive, there is a specialized department to coordinate, with someone following up throughout the whole process. If something goes wrong, there is immediate coordination. This will open up the situation of attracting investment.

“Secretary Liu, I think Director Nie’s initiative is very good, with a clear path, and the idea of a service-oriented government is also very innovative. I think the city can also consider establishing an Investment Promotion Bureau, specifically responsible for the investment promotion work of Bazhou City,” Ding Aiguo proposed to Liu Wenqing on the spot.

At this moment, Liu Wenqing pondered for a bit and then also nodded and said, “Hmm, I think it’s possible, but let’s first see the results in Li County. After all, we are using Li County as the testing ground for Bazhou City’s reform and opening up policies.”

Liu Wenqing’s statement was humorous. In fact, it carried a cautious tone. If the experiment in Li County turned out well and yielded results, then it wouldn’t be a problem for Bazhou City to follow their lead.

Next, in the venue already set up on the site of the Shengli Township government, Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo, along with other city leaders, took their seats on the main podium. At the same time, Nie Zhenbang stood at the side and, after delivering a speech, Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo jointly unveiled the plaque for the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone.

The sound of firecrackers filled the courtyard of the township government. Simultaneously, Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo each inscribed a phrase for the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone.

The brand-new plaque, reading “Bazhou City Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone”, signified that the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone had officially assumed the status of a municipal-level Economic and Technological Development Zone. The status of a deputy-level unit was officially established.

The group returned to the auditorium of the Li County Party Committee. At this moment, Liu Wenqing gave a signal, then laughed and said, “This time, due to going to Urumqi for a meeting, the Minister of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department was absent from the meeting. I will take on his role and make an announcement. The Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee have appointed Comrade Yan Fengjiao, the Deputy Director of the Bazhou City Economic Commission, to be transferred to Li County to serve as a member of the County Party Committee, Deputy Director of the County People’s Government, and concurrently as the Director of the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee.”

Pausing for a moment, Liu Wenqing continued, “In addition, we appoint the Deputy Secretary of the Li County Party Committee and Director Nie Zhenbang to be the Secretary of the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone Work Committee, responsible for presiding over the comprehensive work of the Li County Development Zone. I hope that under the leadership of Director Nie, the Li County Development Zone will achieve brilliant results.”

As soon as Xue Daming heard Liu Wenqing’s announcement, he, who had seemed very relaxed, was stunned at this moment. To Xue Daming, the position of the Work Committee Secretary seemed to be destined for Chu Bin. What’s more, Xue Daming believed that Liu Wenqing’s visit this time was to aid Chu Bin. Why did it suddenly turn into supporting Nie Zhenbang?

With the joint support of the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor, doesn’t Li County now belong to Nie Zhenbang?