Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 386 Securing the Wildlife Park Project

Wu Zhiyuan continued to speak eloquently: "Third, the radiation effect, the focus is on going beyond Jiangzhou and becoming a regional tourism distribution center."

Wuhe Town is located in the northeast of Jiangzhou City. After Longcheng was merged, it borders or is close to several surrounding cities.

Once the wildlife park and integrated resort are completed, with its unique multi-functional experience and relatively superior location, it will not only attract tourists from Jiangzhou city and its subordinate counties, but also effectively radiate to several surrounding cities and even attract some self-driving tourists from more distant areas.

This will greatly enhance the project's influence and economic benefits, transforming it from a project solely serving Jiangzhou into a potential regional tourist hotspot.

This is also of positive significance for enhancing Jiangzhou's position in the regional cultural and tourism landscape.

Fourth, it has unique advantages in its natural ecological environment.

This is fundamental to the survival and development of wildlife parks.

Wuhe Town has mountains—Shuangyu Mountain and the surrounding hills, with moderate altitude and diverse terrain, making it easy to plan animal display areas and free-range areas with different altitudes and vegetation types.

Water is abundant – five rivers converge, providing plentiful and high-quality water that can meet all the needs of animals for drinking water, water bodies in the venues, irrigation for greening, and fire fighting.

With abundant forests, including large areas of chestnut, walnut, and pine forests, the area boasts rich vegetation communities. This not only provides animals with a near-natural habitat but also forms the ecological foundation and landscape background of the project.

Such an ecological community of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes and grasslands is an excellent place to build a high-level, eco-friendly wildlife park, which can maximize animal welfare and enhance the natural experience for visitors.

Fifth, and most importantly, is the advantage of land resources and policy compliance.

Mr. Xu, having been involved in construction for so many years, you know best that the biggest hidden costs and uncertain risks of a project often lie not in the construction itself, but in the conversion of land use and the avoidance of various policy red lines.

The approximately 5000-mu core area that we initially selected for the project is mostly non-basic farmland, including general agricultural land, forest land, barren mountains, and village construction land, completely avoiding permanent basic farmland and ecological protection red lines.

This means that in key approval processes such as land regulation adjustment, expropriation, environmental impact assessment, and forest occupation, we face the fewest policy obstacles, the shortest expected processing time, and the lowest overall compliance costs.

In contrast, the ecological red line is an unavoidable hurdle in the Baiheshan plan;

The flat land in Dongshan County may involve a large amount of basic farmland adjustment;

Although Nanling County has promised to provide land free of charge, there are still uncertainties regarding whether the land use is fully compliant and whether subsequent adjustments will be smooth.

In this respect, Wuhe Town has a certain advantage that other alternative locations cannot match.

Wu Zhiyuan summarized: "President Xu, location potential determines the future, diversified business formats determine competitiveness, radiation effect determines the ceiling, ecological environment determines quality, and land compliance determines efficiency."

These five advantages are interconnected and progressive, forming a solid foundation and unique value for Wuhe Town in winning this project.

We are not here to ask for projects without a plan. We have come with a mature plan that has undergone preliminary evaluation, has comparative advantages, meets the requirements of high-quality development, and can effectively drive the development of the local area.

We believe that, given a fair chance to compete and conduct in-depth investigations, Wuhe Town will definitely impress the leaders and experts from the city and the Urban Investment Group.

After Wu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Xu Enpei said, "County Chief Wu, your five advantages are summarized very well, especially the last point about land compliance and efficiency, which is very professional and hits the nail on the head."

This gave me a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Wuhe Town.

The success of a project depends not only on where it is built, but also on why it is built there and what unique value it can bring.

Your proposed "zoo+" integrated cultural and tourism complex and its regional radiating effect go beyond simply relocating a zoo; it rises to the level of driving regional development and shaping a regional brand. This is very attractive.

Xu Enpei said, "County Chief Wu, how about this, I'll take some time soon to organize the heads of the group's planning, investment, and cultural tourism departments to conduct an on-site inspection of Wuhe Town."

The end of the paper is so shallow that I know that this matter must be carried out.

I need to see the advantages you just mentioned, especially the natural ecological base and land use conditions, as well as that ancient street and Shuangyu Mountain, in person before I can feel confident.

This is also a necessary step in our internal site selection process.

Wu Zhiyuan was overjoyed: "President Xu, we warmly welcome you and will definitely cooperate fully to present the most authentic and comprehensive picture of Wuhe to you and all the experts."

"Please feel free to tell us what information you need us to prepare, or what routes you need us to scout."

"The initial proposed route will be based on the core area you just mentioned."

The focus should be on the 5,000 mu of land you have initially designated, examining its topography, vegetation, water sources, and relationship with the surrounding villages.

Visit the ancient street, Shuangyu Mountain, and the anti-Japanese war relics you mentioned.

Oh, and also, you could look into the site selection for the agricultural product logistics park that your Song Group is interested in investing in, to see if there's any potential for future synergy between industry and cultural tourism.

"No problem, Mr. Xu. We'll go back and immediately refine the reception and site visit plan to ensure you see what you want to see and understand what you want to know."

Xu Enpei then changed the subject: "County Chief Wu, let me make this clear from the start: the investigation is one thing, but whether or not it will be finalized is up to the municipal party committee and government."

Of course, I will submit the Wuhe Town proposal as an important option.

Whether you can stand out depends on how much effort you put in.

Wu Zhiyuan said in a perverted manner, "Don't worry, Mr. Xu, we will definitely do our best."

"Give us a fair chance to compete, and I believe that the strength of Wuhe Town and our sincerity will impress the leaders and experts."

Xu Enpei pulled Wu Zhiyuan aside: "County Chief Wu, let's talk in private."

Wu Zhiyuan was overjoyed, as he was Xu Enpei's savior.

Xu Enpei wanted to give the wildlife park project to Qingyan as a way of repaying a debt of gratitude.

He doesn't have the final say, but he can contribute to the project.

"Let's talk privately" means that there are some things that are not convenient for everyone to know, and it is very likely that it is to convey some secrets or tips.

"County Magistrate Wu, there are some things I shouldn't say. But we get along well, so I'll just tell you the truth."

The zoo relocation project is a key project for the city.

The city investment group is at the execution level; the real decision-makers are the municipal party committee and the municipal government.

What I can do is to make the Wuhe Town plan solid and impressive, and strive for a high ranking for you in the technical evaluation and professional demonstration stages.

However, whether it can ultimately be included in the meeting and whether it will be selected depends on the opinions of the main leaders of the municipal party committee and government.

The municipal party secretary is concurrently a member of the provincial party committee standing committee. He has little involvement in matters within the government's authority. Although the wildlife park project is worth over a billion yuan, it would be a big project in your Qingyan County, but in Jiangzhou, it is just a small project. Ultimately, the decision-making power still rests with the mayor.

The municipal party secretary only took office last year and will not be replaced in the short term.

But the mayor will turn sixty this month, and according to convention, he will have to step down to a less important position. In other words, the mayor will be reassigned soon.

There's no definitive answer yet on how exactly to coordinate or who will take over, but there are various versions of the story.

Some say he was parachuted in from the province, others say he was transferred from another city, and still others say the current executive vice mayor might take over.

Until the mayoral candidate is finalized, controversial projects like the zoo relocation will be temporarily shelved, and the new mayor will ultimately make a decision after weighing the pros and cons.

After a pause, Xu Enpei continued, "County Magistrate Wu, this isn't all bad."

The temporary suspension of the project has actually given you more time to prepare.

Our group is fairly well aware of the strategies and tactics employed by each of the candidate locations: Dongshan County, Nanling County, and Jiangyang District.

Wuhe Town is a new card, and new cards need more time to be polished and warmed up.

With a new mayor in place, new ideas and plans will naturally emerge.

Whoever can come up with a brilliant solution at this time will gain the upper hand.

Therefore, what you need to do now is not only to prepare for the inspection and reception, but also to do ideological work with the leaders of the municipal party committee and government, especially the main leaders of the municipal government, to get them to support the Wuhe Town plan.

With the support of city leaders, things became much easier for us.

Wu Zhiyuan understood immediately: "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Xu. Let's first solidify the groundwork and refine the project plan. We'll report to the city when the time is right."

Xu Enpei added, "You don't need to rush to know the specifics now."

"The new mayor has not been decided yet, so there's no use in rushing it."

My suggestion is to first thoroughly understand the resources of Wuhe Town, develop a solid project plan, and lay the groundwork for establishing the necessary relationships.

Only when the new mayor takes office and the project restarts can you come up with the most mature and competitive solution as soon as possible.

As for the city, when the time is right, there will naturally be opportunities to meet the people and report on the work that needs to be done.

Some doors, you don't need to knock; someone will push them open for you.

Wu Zhiyuan said sincerely, "President Xu, I will remember your kindness."

Xu Enpei waved his hand and laughed: "What friendship? I'm just trying to make the project a success."

A good project can only achieve its maximum benefit if it is located in a good place.

Wuhe Town has a good foundation and excellent conditions, and your county's cadres are also motivated and have ideas. I have high hopes for you.

Back in the meeting room.

Wu Zhiyuan spoke frankly: "President Xu, I would like to ask you if there are any other possibilities for cooperation between Qingyan County and the City Investment Group in a wider range of fields?"

The City Investment Group is the main force in the construction and development of Jiangzhou City, with numerous business segments.

After Qingyan was incorporated into Jiangzhou, all industries were in need of development, and many sectors urgently needed the participation and leadership of leading enterprises like the City Investment Group.

Xu Enpei smiled and said, "County Chief Wu has a very flexible mind. Tell me, what other areas do you think we can cooperate on? I'm all ears."