Chapter 207 Economic Meeting
The next morning at 9 am, in the city government conference room.
Seeing that the seats were full of people, Qi Tongwei asked, "Is everyone here?"
Secretary-General Zhang Zhihua nodded and said, "Everyone is here."
"My name is Qi Tongwei, and the purpose of gathering everyone here today is to hold a meeting.
This is the first time I have met many of you, so before the meeting, everyone should make a brief self-introduction. "Qi Tongwei looked at the participants and said.
As soon as Qi Tongwei finished speaking, Executive Vice Mayor Xie Zhonglin said, "You must introduce yourself well. Mayor Qi's first meeting after taking office was today's meeting, not the municipal government's party group meeting. This shows how much he values you."
Xie Zhonglin specifically emphasized the government party group meeting, the profound meaning of which is self-evident.
Qi Tongwei took a look at the old guy and knew that he was not convinced by him.
Well, there have been rumors about him becoming the mayor for a while, but he ended up snatching the position away from him. No wonder he was so sarcastic.
"Mayor Qi, my name is Liu Xiaoshun, director of the Land Bureau."
"Mayor Qi, I'm Wang Jianbo, president of the CCB Green Ivy Branch."
"Mayor Qi, I am..."
No one present did what Xie Zhonglin said. No one would be stupid enough to offend a mayor, let alone a young mayor. They all introduced themselves briefly as Qi Tongwei requested.
After everyone had introduced themselves, Qi Tongwei began to speak: “As Deputy Mayor Xie said, this is the first meeting I have held since taking office.
Everyone here may be wondering why it is not the Party Committee Meeting of the Municipal Government?
The reason is actually very simple. I am a person who pays attention to efficiency in everything I do.
Luteng’s economy has been ranked last for many years in a row, and Secretary Li of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor Zhao are very angry about this. This is also the reason why I became the mayor of Luteng.
Time waits for no one, comrades!
Green Ivy’s finances are not improving. I don’t know if you are anxious or not, but I am very anxious.
That's why I decided to hold such a meeting, a meeting to determine the economic direction of Green Vine.
I am a person who likes to be straightforward and doesn't like to hide things.
The purpose of today's meeting is very clear, which is to jointly discuss and determine the overall direction and tone of Luteng City's economic development in the next five years.
Everyone please share your suggestions.”
After Qi Tongwei finished speaking, he looked at everyone.
"Mayor Qi, the government's economic work conference has already been held this year, and a plan has been developed. Is it inappropriate for us to change it now?
Besides, aren't there too few participants? Do the other members of the Municipal Party Committee know about this?" Xie Zhonglin said.
"Yes, Mayor Qi, isn't this against the rules?" Wu Shuangling, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Deputy Mayor, also raised objections.
Qi Tongwei glanced at the two of them calmly and said to the crowd, "Do the rest of you think the same way?"
"I oppose the views of Comrade Zhonglin and Comrade Shuangling. Researching and formulating the direction of economic development is one of the mayor's responsibilities. It doesn't have to be decided today, and there is no need to inform other members of the Standing Committee." Deputy Mayor Li Yanan stood up and refuted.
Another deputy mayor, Zhang Yang, said: "I agree with Comrade Li Yanan's opinion. Now we are just studying strategies, not requiring implementation. Party discipline and national laws do not stipulate that we must report everything to the executive director."
"That's right. If everyone has the same opinion as you two, why not just abolish the municipal government and hand over the work directly to the standing committee members? What's the point of having a municipal government?"
Xie Zhonglin and Wu Shuangling's words were not recognized by other members of the municipal government's party group. They expressed their opposition and refuted the two.
If both of them hold the same opinion, what is the use of deputy mayors like them?
Xie Zhonglin looked at the scene in front of him with annoyance and couldn't help feeling a little chilled. Some time ago, everyone was calling him Mayor Xie, but after a few days, everything changed.
Qi Tongwei had no time to deal with his thoughts, but directly said: "The purpose of today is to study the economic trend. As for how to report to the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, that is my business. Your purpose is very clear, which is to develop practical solutions.
I want to emphasize again that my purpose in coming to Luteng is very clear, which is to promote the economic development of Luteng.
The provincial party committee leaders also made such a request to me before I came here, so I must do my best to boost Luteng's economy.
Developing the economy is the job of our municipal government, and holding economic research meetings is also our right. No one can interfere. The situation described by Vice Mayor Xie does not exist."
Seeing that no one was willing to speak, Qi Tongwei continued, "Since no one is willing to speak first, I will talk about my own views first.
I suggest that the economic direction of Green Vine City be re-planned, focusing on manufacturing and emerging industries, while also paying great attention to the development of tertiary industries such as tourism.
In the future, government funds should be tilted towards these areas rather than rushing into the real estate market.
Regarding my point of view, I wonder what thoughts and suggestions you have? "
“Mayor Qi, municipal planning and urban construction are also very important.
Property taxes and land transfer fees are the bulk of the government's fiscal revenue. Without this part of the funds, I'm afraid even basic wages will not be enough, right?" Wu Shuangling felt that he had found a point of rebuttal.
“Deputy Mayor Wu still didn’t understand what I meant. I was saying that we should not rush into the real estate market all at once, but I was not saying that we should give up completely. Urban construction should still go on.
However, future urban construction will no longer be chaotic and disorderly, and bidding must be open and fair.
The government should also approach urban construction from a development perspective and avoid duplicate construction.
When talking about fiscal revenue, Deputy Mayor Wu mentioned that Luteng mainly relies on land transfer and property taxes. I think this is a shame for Luteng City.
Putting aside other things, if the real estate industry is really the main industry, the land will be sold out one day. If we have sold out, what will the subsequent governments do? "Qi Tongwei asked.
"Mayor Qi, I agree with your point of view. The economy of Luteng City must be transformed and upgraded, and the real estate industry must not be the pillar industry." Xie Jiamei, director of the Development and Reform Commission, said.
"What does your bank say?" Qi Tongwei looked at several bank leaders. Luteng Real Estate has a close relationship with them.
"Mayor Qi, this should have little to do with our bank, right?" the CCB head stood up and said.
Qi Tongwei glanced at everyone and said, "The relationship with the bank is the most important. Whether it is the previous loan from the real estate company or the subsequent mortgage, it is inextricably linked to you."
"Mayor Qi, this...we also have a mission." Agricultural Bank President Li Bo said in embarrassment.
"There are many ways to accomplish your mission. You can't just focus on real estate. Banks can try to support the real manufacturing industry.
There are other industries that also need your support, such as high-tech industries.”
He looked at several bank executives and said earnestly: "I think our bank should be the People's Bank. Its role should not only be to make money, but more importantly to serve the society and promote economic development.
Comrades, we must focus on long-term interests rather than short-term gains. "
Several bank presidents remained silent, and it seemed that none of them were willing to give up the interests at hand.
Qi Tongwei had no intention of solving this problem all at once, and was not too disappointed with their silence.
He has many ways of his own, but those who want to get rich quickly by relying on real estate should forget about it, because he will not allow it.
Thinking of this, he said to Fang Xiaobin, the director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau: "Director Fang, go back and study how to avoid the phenomenon where developers make money and the people suffer losses."
"Yes, Mayor Qi, we will study it after we go down." Fang Xiaobin said worriedly.