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Starting today, I will join my comrades in further upholding these values, infusing them with new contemporary significance in step with the times, boosting morale and tempering a strong work ethic, and striving to usher in another vibrant era of passion and enterprise.

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On September 11, Lan Shaomin assumed his new post as Secretary of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee. He made these remarks at a city-wide meeting of leading cadres held that day. Now, more than two months into his new role, where has he placed his priorities?

Conducting Research in Subordinate Districts and Counties to Prescribe “Remedies” for Development

Over the past two months, Lan Shaomin has conducted in-depth research across Suzhou’s various cities, counties, and districts, offering new insights for the next phase of development in each area. Based on his findings, he succinctly provided tailored “one-word advice” for each of Suzhou’s ten subordinate cities, counties, and districts:

Core: September 18 – Research Visit to Gusu District

Gusu District is the essence of Suzhou’s history and culture. Lan Shaomin chose this as the first stop of his post-inauguration research tour specifically because of the character “Core” (核). He stated that Gusu District has always carried the developmental expectation of “solidifying and highlighting the core of a historic and cultural city.” This character “Core” is of paramount importance and must be consistently upheld. By building the “hard core” of urban development, “gray-haired Suzhou” will be revitalized with the youthful vigor of the new era.

Next: September 19 – Inspection of Zhangjiagang City

During his inspection tour in Zhangjiagang, Lan Shaomin stated that Zhangjiagang must resolutely focus on the concept of “transformation,” summoning the courage of the past to break with the old and establish the new. The city should strive to advance “three transformations” in ideological concepts, industrial structure, and urban-rural development: ideological concepts must shift toward “innovation,” industrial structure toward “high-end,” and urban-rural development toward “excellence,” thereby creating new glories in development.

Pioneering: September 23 – Research Visit to Kunshan City

In Kunshan, ranked among the nation’s top 100 cities, he emphasized that looking back, the “Kunshan Path” was forged from nothing; looking ahead, the “Kunshan Path” must still rely on “pioneering” to expand its new connotations, unleash new vitality, tap into new value, and achieve new glory.

Integration: September 28 – Research Visit to Wujiang District

In Wujiang District, the “frontline” of integration into the Yangtze River Delta’s integrated development, he pointed out that Wujiang must plan and think with foresight, strengthening the proactive commitment to “integration”; prioritize ecology, highlighting the distinct character of “integration”; dedicate itself to collaborative innovation, stimulating the powerful momentum of “integration”; and promote joint construction and sharing, building a happy home of “integration,” so as to spare no effort in writing a magnificent chapter on integration into the Yangtze River Delta’s integrated development.

Advance: October 9 – Inspection of Changshu City

During his inspection tour in Changshu, Lan Shaomin emphasized that we must always bear in mind that “standing still means falling behind, and slow progress is also regression.” We must rally our spirits to maintain a forward-moving posture, roll up our sleeves to implement effective strategies for progress, forge a path forward through a sense of responsibility, and carve out a new path through hard work, thereby creating a new realm of high-quality development for Changshu.

October 17: Research Visit to Taicang City

In Taicang, known as the “Home of German Enterprises,” he pointed out that Taicang must set “grand ambitions” for development; strengthen growth and focus on implementation to demonstrate “bold moves” in transformation; courageously shoulder the mission of integrating with Shanghai to build an “open framework”; and remain true to its original aspirations by “focusing on two priorities” to build a “premier service brand,” thereby making Taicang more grand, more dynamic, and more competitive.

October 25: Research Visit to Wuzhong District

Lush mountains and clear waters are Wuzhong District’s greatest “asset.” We must maintain the boldness to keep our eyes fixed on the prize and the vigor to move forward with confidence; we must possess the ambition and resolve to ensure that “among the beauties of Lake Taihu, Wuzhong is the most beautiful.” We must benchmark against the highest “excellence” standards, nurture the finest landscape and ecological environment, build the highest-quality industrial structure, and create the most optimal urban and rural landscapes.

Establishment: October 28 – Inspection of Xiangcheng District

Starting from a new historical juncture, Xiangcheng District must proactively integrate into Suzhou’s overall development strategy. It must establish itself through development, ground itself in industry, and anchor itself in responsibility, thereby establishing a new urban gateway in the northern part of Suzhou’s main urban area. Strengthen capabilities to build a solid “foundation”; enhance its image to raise its “prestige”; optimize services to build a “reputation”; and enforce strict rules to establish a “positive ethos.”

November 5: Inspection of Suzhou High-Tech Zone

Here, Lan Shaomin emphasized that the High-Tech Zone must always bear in mind that its responsibilities lie in “innovation” and its mission is forever rooted in “innovation.” We must strive to pioneer new paths for innovation-driven development, build new functions for open platforms, and plan new spaces for urban development. We must vigorously develop an open innovation economy and forge ahead courageously toward the goal of building Suzhou’s main stronghold for science and technology innovation and advancing to the forefront of the nation’s top-tier high-tech zones.

November 11: Inspection of Suzhou Industrial Park

Speaking at the Suzhou Industrial Park—which ranks among the nation’s top tier—he noted that the park’s development has entered uncharted territory. With no one to lead the way, it must repeatedly “overcome its own limitations” and surpass itself to rediscover new drivers and coordinates for development. We must always maintain a spirit of striving where “there is no highest, only higher,” charging to the forefront and seizing the initiative, boldly serving as climbers who constantly challenge the limits.

Lan Shaomin’s thematic research visits to ten districts in Suzhou not only offered positive affirmation to each locality but also ignited their high spirits. We are confident that in the future, Suzhou will surely paint a “perfectly complete” picture of its endeavors.

Listening to the Voices of Private Enterprises: Presenting Three “Gifts”

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We will ensure that outstanding entrepreneurs have a stage for innovation, political recognition, and social standing. We will respect entrepreneurs as we respect scientists, and respect business owners as we respect teachers, so that the city’s enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and drive for innovation will soar even higher.

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Lan Shaomin made these remarks at the Suzhou Key Private Enterprises Symposium on November 2, deeply moving the entrepreneurs and making them feel respected and valued.

Not only that, but Lan Shaomin also presented the private entrepreneurs with “three gift packages.”These three “gift packages” correspond to three systems :establishing a monthly salon system for private entrepreneurs, held once a month, so that the voices of entrepreneurs can be “heard” by the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government ; establishing a WeChat group communication system for private entrepreneurs, creating several groups categorized by type, so that the opinions of entrepreneurs can be “seen” by the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government ;andestablishing a direct reporting system for private enterprise information, so that the requests of entrepreneurs can be “addressed” by the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government.

Investigating the Financial Services System and Focusing on Investment Promotion

Since taking office, in addition to conducting field research across various regions, meeting with entrepreneur representatives, and attending cooperation and exchange conferences, Lan Shaomin has also met with financial sector representatives to promote the transformation and development of innovative financial services. In October, he conducted a special investigation into the development of Suzhou’s comprehensive financial service system, emphasizing the need to continuously optimize platforms such as comprehensive financial services, expand coverage of enterprises, and effectively enhance the capacity to serve the real economy and support the development of innovative enterprises. The goal is to foster a favorable financial service environment that provides enterprises with a tangible sense of benefit.

Regarding investment promotion, Lan Shaomin has similarly maintained a “cut off the arm to save the body” spirit. At a symposium in Kunshan City specifically convened for leaders of major investment projects, he emphasized the need to boost corporate confidence, attract high-end resources, dare to push the limits, and rigorously pursue effective investment.At the on-site promotion meeting for key projects in the third quarter of 2019, he stated that efforts must remain focused on annual targets and tasks, adhering to the principle that “projects are paramount.” He called for concentrating efforts on investment promotion, project selection, progress monitoring, and environmental optimization, effectively transforming high-quality projects into the lifeline of a new round of high-quality development, thereby providing solid support for Suzhou’s bold pursuit of becoming “two benchmarks.”

Regarding specific strategies and approaches to investment promotion, he emphasized that to effectively advance project construction, efforts must center on four key issues: how to attract investment, how to select projects, how to monitor progress, and how to optimize the business environment. He called for intensified efforts to ensure these measures are fully implemented. He urged officials to emancipate their minds, roll up their sleeves, and firmly uphold the clear orientation toward investment promotion, thereby establishing a robust mechanism, a scientific methodology, and a professional team.

The time has come for momentous events to unfold—but who will rise to the challenge amidst the turbulent currents? In the future, let us watch as Suzhou strives to create another fiery era of passion and entrepreneurial drive!