Original Title: Notice from the Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-Public Sector Economy, Department of Industry and Information Technology of Shandong Province, Regarding the Issuance of the “Implementation Rules for the Top 100 List of Shandong Private Entrepreneurs ‘Taking the Lead’”
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Detailed Rules are formulated to thoroughly implement the important spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China regarding the promotion and strengthening of the private economy, to foster a strong atmosphere of encouragement, support, and guidance for the development of the private economy, to stimulate the enthusiasm of private entrepreneurs for undertaking initiatives and starting businesses, and to promote the high-quality development of the private economy across the province, in accordance with the requirements of the “2022 Plan for Ten Special Actions to Promote the High-Quality Development of the Private Economy in Shandong Province” (Lu Feigong Zu Fa [2022] No. 3).
Article 2 The Shandong Province Top 100 “Leading the Charge” Private Entrepreneurs List is released every two years and comprises three categories: Industry Leaders, Elite Entrepreneurs, and Rising Stars, totaling 100 individuals.
Article 3 The evaluation of the Shandong Province Top 100 Private Entrepreneurs “Taking the Lead” List adheres to the principles of openness, fairness, impartiality, and merit-based selection.
Article 4 Private enterprises registered with the industrial and commercial authorities in Shandong Province, as well as their principal executives—including chairpersons, board (council) chairpersons, presidents, and general managers—are eligible for evaluation.
Chapter 2: Eligibility Criteria
Article 5 Basic Eligibility Criteria for Participating Private Enterprises and Entrepreneurs
(1) Loyalty to the Party and the Country. Love the motherland and the people; uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China; consciously practice the “Two Upholds”; embody the core socialist values; possess a noble sense of mission and a strong sense of responsibility toward the nation and the people; and maintain good character and a positive public image.
(2) Law-abiding Operations. Comply with national laws and regulations, pay taxes in accordance with the law, honor commitments and fulfill contractual obligations, and actively foster harmonious labor relations and a clean and close government-business relationship. Within the past three years, the enterprise must have had no major or higher-level production safety accidents; within the past year, no more than three general production safety accidents resulting in fatalities; and no sudden environmental incidents. The individual must have no record of criminal offenses or adverse credit history.
(3) Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial and innovative practices and advanced management philosophies; be courageous in serving as an explorer, organizer, and leader of innovative development; and take the lead in promoting organizational innovation, technological innovation, and market expansion.
(4) Industrial Leadership. Focus on the real economy and excel in core business operations, while developing and implementing a portfolio of major and new projects with leading and catalytic effects. Demonstrate significant achievements in establishing modern corporate governance systems, transforming business development models, and enhancing development quality and efficiency, with key economic indicators ranking among the top in the industry.
(5) Social Contribution. They must earnestly fulfill social responsibilities, achieving outstanding results in job creation, safeguarding employees’ legitimate rights and interests, supporting local economic development, promoting rural revitalization, and engaging in public welfare and philanthropy. Private entrepreneurs who stepped forward, demonstrated courage, and performed exceptionally during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic will be given priority under equal conditions.
Article 6: Private enterprises and entrepreneurs applying for the title of “Industry-Leading Private Enterprise” or “Industry-Leading Private Entrepreneur” must, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, also satisfy the following conditions:
(1) The enterprise’s operating revenue in the previous fiscal year must not be less than 10 billion yuan. Priority will be given, under equal conditions, to the principal responsible persons of leading enterprises in the province’s 11 landmark industrial chains and leading enterprises in distinctive industrial clusters.
(2) The enterprise must have significant influence within its industry sector or be led by a nationally renowned entrepreneur who possesses unique strategic vision and foresight, and plays a vital leading and driving role in the development of the industry.
(3) Actively promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the research, development, and promotion of low-carbon technologies, and innovation in green development mechanisms to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and make significant contributions to the province’s transition from old to new growth drivers and its green and low-carbon transformation and development.
(4) Places high importance on building a technological innovation system, maintains a high level of R&D investment, and ranks among the top in the domestic industry in terms of technological innovation capabilities.
(5) Places a high priority on brand building; is a nationally renowned brand; and holds a market share ranking among the top three domestically for its flagship products.
(6) Have served as the primary executive of the enterprise for more than five years.
Article 7: Private enterprises and entrepreneurs nominated for the “Industry Elite” category must also meet the following conditions:
(1) The enterprise’s operating revenue in the previous fiscal year must be no less than 1 billion yuan; priority will be given, under equal conditions, to principal executives of key enterprises in the province’s 11 landmark industrial chains (focused on extending, supplementing, and strengthening these chains) or national-level “single-champion” enterprises.
(2) Possess significant influence within the industry or be a well-known entrepreneur in the province, demonstrating unique management approaches and a high level of management proficiency.
(3) Actively promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the research, development, and promotion of low-carbon technologies, and innovation in green development mechanisms to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and have made significant contributions to the province’s transition from old to new growth drivers and its green and low-carbon transformation and development.
(4) The enterprise has a high R&D investment intensity, and its technological innovation capabilities rank among the top in the province within the same industry.
(5) The enterprise possesses significant brand influence, is a well-known brand within the province or industry, and its flagship product holds a market share ranking among the top 5 nationally.
(6) The individual has served as the enterprise’s principal executive for more than five years.
Article 8: Private enterprises and entrepreneurs applying for the “Industry Rising Star” award must also meet the following conditions:
(1) The enterprise must be classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) according to the “SME Size Classification Standards” (MIIT Joint Enterprise [2011] No. 300). Priority will be given, under equal conditions, to principal executives of high-growth SMEs such as national-level “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” (“Little Giant”) enterprises, “Gazelle” enterprises, and “Unicorn” enterprises.
(2) Possess strong innovation capabilities and rapid growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of main business revenue or total profit of 20% or higher over the past two years.
(3) Private enterprises that promote industrial structure upgrading, accelerate technological transformation and innovation, and adopt new production and business models—such as digital, intelligent, and green manufacturing, as well as e-commerce—in the context of the province’s transition from old to new growth drivers and its green and low-carbon transformation.
(4) Enterprises located at critical junctures of industrial chains that achieve the industrial application of key foundational technologies and products within key industrial chains, thereby playing a vital role in “addressing weaknesses,” “strengthening strengths,” and “filling gaps.”
(5) Individuals who have served as the primary responsible person of the enterprise for at least three years and are no older than 50 years of age.
Chapter III Evaluation Procedures
Article 9 Open Application. The Office of the Provincial Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-Public Sector Economy shall issue an application notice. Eligible entrepreneurs may voluntarily apply and submit application materials through the appropriate channels in accordance with requirements, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of the materials. After review and approval by the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-Public Sector Economy at the prefecture-level city, the recommended candidates and application materials shall be submitted to the Office of the Provincial Leading Group.
Article 10 Organization and Selection. The Office of the Provincial Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-public Sector shall convene an expert review meeting to deliberate and propose recommended candidates.
Article 11: Solicitation of Opinions. Opinions shall be solicited from member units of the Provincial Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-public Economy, as well as relevant departments including the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the Provincial High Court, the Provincial Procuratorate, the Provincial Department of Emergency Management, and the Shandong Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau, to review the recommended candidates.
Article 12: Public Announcement and Release. After the Provincial Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Non-Public Sector Economy reviews and approves the recommended candidates, it shall publicly announce the proposed list. Upon the conclusion of the public announcement period without objection, the list of the “Top 100 Shandong Private Entrepreneurs Leading the Charge” shall be released in the name of the Leading Group.
Article 13 Dynamic Management. The “Top 100 Leading Private Entrepreneurs of Shandong Province” list is subject to dynamic management and remains valid for four years. Upon expiration, candidates who continue to meet the criteria may participate in the selection process again.
Chapter IV Incentive Measures
Article 14 Public Release. The “Shandong Province Top 100 Private Entrepreneurs ‘Taking the Lead’” list shall be released through government websites, news media, and other channels.
Article 15: Appointment of Service Specialists. Leading groups for promoting the development of the non-public sector economy at all levels shall appoint entrepreneur service specialists and establish dedicated service hotlines. They shall regularly host entrepreneur forums and organize functional departments and industry associations to provide “face-to-face” and “one-on-one” services to listed entrepreneurs.
Article 16 Enhancing Capabilities and Competence. Listed entrepreneurs shall be given priority to participate in training activities organized by departments at all levels. Annual trips shall be organized to advanced regions with developed private economies and to the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies for experiential training and in-depth exchanges. Renowned domestic and international consulting firms shall be engaged to provide strategic consulting services to enterprises.
Article 17: Appointing Policy Advisors. Eligible entrepreneurs shall be selected and appointed as members of the Provincial Economic Advisory Expert Committee to regularly participate in major provincial economic and social research initiatives.
Article 18: Enhancing Corporate Image. Provincial media outlets will feature special reports on the “Leading the Charge” Top 100 List of Shandong’s Private Entrepreneurs, publishing stories of exemplary achievements, interviews with prominent figures, and new media content to effectively tell the stories of corporate innovation and development as well as outstanding private entrepreneurs. A yearbook of the “Leading the Charge” Top 100 List of Shandong’s Private Entrepreneurs will be compiled to comprehensively enhance the brand recognition and influence of listed enterprises.
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Article 19. For entrepreneurs already listed in accordance with these Detailed Rules, if it is determined that they obtained their listing through the provision of false data or materials, or by other improper means, the honors and corresponding benefits they have received shall be revoked. They shall be barred from reapplying during the validity period, and the relevant responsible persons shall be dealt with in accordance with laws and disciplinary regulations.
Article 20 These Detailed Rules shall take effect on January 22, 2023, and remain valid until January 23, 2028.
