Chapter 13 Chapter Eleven Intimate Contact with Singaporeans

In 1992, Deng Xiaoping's speech on the southern tour was just like a spring breeze blowing across the beautiful water towns in the south of the Yangtze River and the land of Gusu.At this time, two more important figures appeared among the leaders of Suzhou City—of course Wang Jinhua, the successful pioneer of the high-tech zone, was one, and the other was Mayor Zhang Xinsheng who could speak fluent English. I really want to meet the mayor Zhang Xinsheng!It's a pity that he is too busy now, and he has been away from Suzhou for many years.He lives in the same city as me now, but Beijing is too big, and it is common for people in the same city not to see each other for decades.Zhang Xinsheng was originally the deputy director of the National Tourism Administration, and later became the mayor of Suzhou.

I don’t know how Comrade Zhang Xinsheng came to Suzhou to be the mayor. I think this should be a “product” of the reform and opening up—Suzhou is a famous tourist city at home and abroad. The deputy director of the National Tourism Administration sent him to be the mayor. It's a matter of course. Suzhou is a tourist city, and many foreigners come here.There is a mayor who can speak fluent English, which makes Suzhou people look good. Zhang Xinsheng's real prestige was established after the provincial and municipal party committees decided to build the "Suzhou Singapore Industrial Park" in Suzhou, which has now become Suzhou's business card.

Zhang Xinsheng came to Suzhou in 1990, a year when a major event happened in the world: the Middle East Gulf War broke out.The Iraqi army commanded by Saddam Hussein invaded the neighboring country Kuwait on the pretext of raising troops. Bush Sr. of the United States immediately ordered the US military to carry out a "desert storm" that destroyed the Iraqi army. The once rampant Iraqi army was vulnerable and defeated by Bush. . This battle was a huge shock to many small countries: powerful neighbors are staring at them, and small countries may be in danger of being eaten at any time... Among these small countries, there is a leader who has a special sense of crisis. He is Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

As a figure of the founding father of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew's sense of crisis for his own country made him a little restless during those days.Lee Kuan Yew had a unique vision for governing the country. He believed that although Singapore's economy had developed to a very high level, it was still a tiny place and its resistance to external forces was greatly limited.Facing the complex international and surrounding environment, Lee Kuan Yew believed that Singapore must find a new way out in order to remain invincible.The only way to enhance national strength is to develop the economy both at home and abroad, that is, while vigorously developing the economy at home, it must also go abroad and strive to carry out economic alliances with reliable and friendly major countries, so that Singapore can establish a "strategic cooperation" with major countries. "And a new way to expand the country's business outward.

At this time, Oriental Lion Dance China is setting off a greater wave of reform and opening up.The content of Deng Xiaoping's southern tour speech also reached Lee Kuan Yew's ears.This Singaporean leader with an oriental cultural tradition who was a soldier was greatly encouraged by Deng Xiaoping's speech. Deng Xiaoping said this during his southern tour: We want to catch up with the "four tigers" in Asia. Singapore's social order is considered good. They are strict, and we should learn from their experience. After Deng Xiaoping's speech on the southern tour, officials from the mainland of China rushed to Singapore in groups to learn from the experience and come back to work on their own four modernizations.

Singapore is an island country with an area only as large as a county in China.For a time, Singapore was almost becoming a cruise ship that was about to be trampled and sunk... It is said that in 1992 alone, 98 Chinese central ministries and senior officials from the provinces and above visited Singapore with a total of more than 90,000 people. Island country research and study. "In this way, it is better for us to go to China to build a Singapore model for them. In this way, we can repay Deng Gong's praise of our Singapore, and second, we can find the protection of a big country with the same culture as ours!" Lee Kuan Yew asked Colleagues secretly discuss this matter.

"The senior minister's suggestion is very good, let's go to China!" The colleagues agreed. So in September 1992, Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong and other important officials to China, calling it a visit, but actually seeking a place for cooperation.They walked from the south of China to the north, and then went to coastal cities such as Shandong and Shanghai. Lee Kuan Yew inspected all the way, and at the end of the comparison, his favorite was Shanghai.Because Shanghai has a good industrial foundation, convenient transportation, and advantages in various resources such as talents.But after contacting relevant parties, Singaporeans were disappointed: Shanghainese did not fully understand Singapore's sincerity.

"Why don't you and Vice Premier Wang go back home first. I'll stay and have a look?" the young Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said to Lee Kuan Yew and Wang Dingchang. "That's good, after all, we chose China. Such a big country, there must be something we like. This task is entrusted to you." Lee Kuan Yew and Wang Dingchang looked at each other knowingly, and said to Lee Hsien Loong. In this way, Lee Hsien Loong stayed in Shanghai.How to arrange the next time?There are no important things in Shanghai, but Shanghai is not an easy tourist city.Lee Hsien Loong's assistant suggested: "Can the Vice Premier take a trip to Suzhou, which is very close to Shanghai and a famous tourist city, especially where the ancient oriental culture and the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River are concentrated."

"Okay, I will go to Suzhou to rest for two days. Although I have been to China several times, I have never been to the gardens in Suzhou. It is a rare opportunity!" Lee Hsien Loong in casual clothes did a few twists and stretches in the room energetically. arm movement. "What, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is coming to Suzhou! That's great, I'll pick him up in Shanghai early tomorrow morning!" In less than an hour, the news that the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore will be coming to Suzhou the next day has already reached the ears of Mayor Zhang Xinsheng .Zhang Xinsheng, who was busy implementing the opening up of the municipal party committee, was very excited when he heard the news.As the former deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration, he had contacts with several high-level politicians in Singapore, including Lee Hsien Loong.As an old friend, there is nothing wrong with him going to Shanghai to pick up Lee Hsien Loong.In this regard, Zhang Xinsheng understands Singaporean guests, they are very particular about "appropriate" etiquette.If things are done too enthusiastically, it can backfire.

Lee Hsien Loong's visit to Suzhou this time is a purely private tour.How do we receive it?Do you want to talk to him about economic cooperation with Suzhou?After Zhang Xinsheng notified the secretary-general of the municipal government to arrange a car to Shanghai tomorrow, he was thinking about how to receive Singaporean guests.That's right, who will you send to receive the guests together?This is very important. If it is done well, we can get the projects that Singapore has in our pockets. If it is not done well, it will be nothing. Who should I find to take on this important task?Old Wu!Wu Kequan from Kunshan is going!As soon as Zhang Xinsheng was happy, he picked up the phone and called the Municipal People's Congress.

"Hey, old Wu, Comrade Wu Kequan is there? What, he hasn't reported to the National People's Congress yet? Okay, I'll call Kunshan to find him!" Zhang Xinsheng picked up the phone again and called Kunshan—"Hello, is this old Wu?" The Municipal People’s Congress has been held for a few months, why haven’t you reported yet? Who said you have retreated to the second line? The position of deputy director of the National People’s Congress is very important! Hey, old man, it’s just right that you didn’t report. I have an urgent errand here: Tomorrow, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is coming to Suzhou. I would like to invite you, a veteran, to come out of the mountain...Of course it is suitable. You are the founder of Kunshan Development Zone. You have experience in development zones, and Singaporeans also I know that there is a well-known development zone in Kunshan. The purpose of Lee Hsien Loong’s visit this time is unknown, but we have figured out that they want to invest in China. The problem is that we have a way to let their pocket money go to Suzhou. Hey, this is It’s a big event! It’s because of this that I invited your brother out of the mountain! Well, don’t push it, you will come to Suzhou City tomorrow morning, and we will receive Lee Hsien Loong together. Tell him what to say, let’s play on the spot!” After Zhang Xinsheng issued the "order" in a hurry, he was busy preparing various reception details for Lee Hsien Loong's arrival the next day. The next day, Lee Hsien Loong, dressed in a white shirt, red tie and light blue jeans, appeared in Suzhou's famous Humble Administrator's Garden.Compared with China's national leaders, Singapore's deputy prime minister is young, handsome and very easy-going.Another important detail is that he can speak some Chinese. Besides Zhang Xinsheng, the Suzhou people who accompanied Lee Hsien Loong also included Wu Kequan. This day is May 9th, which can be said to be a beautiful spring day in the south of the Yangtze River.The weather is not too hot, and the Chinese staff are all in suits and leather shoes, but the guests are very casual.Lee Hsien Loong smiled and said to Suzhou people: Don't make it too formal, I'm here on a private tour. Zhang Xinsheng hurriedly said: "Vice Premier Li is a distinguished guest from Singapore. It is an honor for our ancient city to come to Suzhou. We will welcome you with all the enthusiasm we can express." Wu Kequan on the side echoed: "Vice Premier Li may not know that our people in Suzhou have a tradition. If you don't take good care of guests from afar, it's like you haven't cleaned the front and back of your house. You have no self-cultivation and manners." Your performance will be looked down upon by others. We Suzhou people treat all our guests the same, we must be sincere and enthusiastic.” Li Xianlong listened to Wu Kequan's words and was very moved: "You have heard about the upbringing of Suzhou people, and your reputation is indeed well-deserved." During the tea break during the tour, Mayor Zhang Xinsheng did not forget to introduce the situation of Suzhou to the guests, and also talked about some ideas for economic development. "Hey, you invited me to see the garden, why are you talking about the economy?" Lee Hsien Loong stared at the Suzhou people vigilantly. Zhang Xinsheng and Wu Kequan were secretly startled, and they exchanged glances involuntarily.Mayor Zhang hurriedly explained to Lee Hsien Loong: "When talking about Suzhou, it is inevitable to talk about the economy, because Suzhou's economic development has also shown some good scenes. We know that Vice Premier Li is a great expert in economics. Give some valuable comments or suggestions." Lee Hsien Loong laughed and said, "Actually, it's not that we can't talk about the economy! What a wonderful place your Suzhou is!" "Yes, Vice Premier Li is welcome to come to Suzhou for more visits and guidance." Zhang Xinsheng and Wu Kequan took a look at the "signs", and there was something to be done!So he hastened to redouble his enthusiasm, and kept thinking about how to "lead the dragon into the trap" while accompanying him.But the Suzhou people found that Lee Hsien Loong was too smart, and he would not easily fall into the trap set by the Suzhou people. On this day, on the one hand, the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, who was disappointed with Shanghai, deliberately avoided talking about economic issues;Both sides are smart people.When smart people fight wits together, it is even more exciting to watch. They tacitly understood each other, but each pretended to be indifferent. During the daytime, the guests and hostess seemed to be relaxed and relaxed when visiting the gardens and watching the street sceneries.The dinner was sumptuous, and Lee Hsien Loong praised Suzhou's dishes.During the toast, the Singaporean guests first brought the topic to the economy—— Lee Hsien Loong: "Singapore is small in size, so every inch of land is expensive. But at the beginning, we also had to sell the land cheaply for the purpose of attracting investment..." When Zhang Xinsheng heard this, he immediately glanced at Wu Kequan who was sitting diagonally across from him.Wu Kequan understood, and immediately poured wine for Lee Hsien Loong while saying, "Vice Prime Minister, you now have an opportunity to make up for the money you lost back then." Lee Hsien Loong stared at Wu Kequan in puzzlement, and said, "How?" Wu Kequan has worked in Kunshan for five or six years in the "self-financed development zone". He has fought against all kinds of foreign businessmen. It can be said that he is a smart "old fox" on the negotiating table, and because Wu Kequan looks simple and honest, he belongs to that kind The most easily fooled "old fox". There is drama.Wu Kequan knew that Lee Hsien Loong was following his own way of thinking, so he picked up a piece of tea and stuffed it into his mouth, and then said unhurriedly: "You can come to Suzhou! We have plenty of land in Suzhou, and we can sell you there cheaply. Make up for the loss of the land! This account, the deputy prime minister must be better than me." "Hahaha..." Lee Hsien Loong is a smart person, and he burst out laughing when he heard this.He understood that the Suzhou people were playing tricks on him.So Lee Hsien Loong pretended to be looking for his assistant, looked left and right, and said, "It's a pity that my Minister of Economy and Trade didn't come!" Zhang Xinsheng understands that when Singaporeans negotiate economic cooperation with foreign countries, officials from the Ministry of Economy and Trade will come forward to negotiate at critical moments.What Lee Hsien Loong said is actually a pun. It seems that Lee Hsien Loong has understood the intention of the Suzhou people to receive him warmly. When parting, Suzhou people looked forward to it: "Welcome Vice Premier Li to Suzhou again!" Lee Hsien Loong said with a smile on his face towards Zhang Xinsheng and Wu Kequan: "Of course. Suzhou is so good, I will definitely come back again, maybe there will be more times in the future." "Great! We must satisfy the Vice Premier." That's what Suzhou people want. "However, I also hope that you can go to Singapore." Lee Hsien Loong specifically said this before getting into the car. "What does he mean?" Wu Kequan asked Mayor Zhang Xinsheng after Lee Hsien Loong's car had left. Zhang said: "I feel that we will receive an invitation from Singapore soon..."