Wenzhou Exploration Complete Two Volumes

Author: Zhou Xingzeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: A book that interprets the essence of the Wenzhou Model; a book that reveals the successes and failures of Wenzhou entrepreneurs; a book that analyzes enterprise operations in an MBA case study format; a book that contains ingenious methods for handling work and life; a book that may bring lifelong benefits on the path to wealth. Jointly planned by journalists, entrepreneurs, experts, and government officials, this masterpiece took two years to complete, delving into the entrepreneurial journey of Wenzhou and the "Wenzhou People" in the forefront of China's reform and opening-up. The book "Wenzhou Mysteries" largely reveals the essence of the "Wenzhou Model," records the economic development of Wenzhou, and narrates the history of Wenzhou people's entrepreneurship and struggles. From it, one can see the characteristics and spirit of the "Wenzhou People," represented by Wenzhou private entrepreneurs and industrialists.
The mysterious Wenzhou entrepreneur, Zhan Guoshu.
Introduction by Zhang Xiaoguo:
For 20 years since the reform and opening-up, the economy of Wenzhou has gained worldwide fame. The Wenzhou people, with their fearless spirit and courage to be pioneers, have composed a series of entrepreneurial songs. Over these two decades, Chinese politicians and economists have watched Wenzhou with keen interest—a unique economic hot spot. They have analyzed this economic phenomenon from various perspectives, including urban concepts, citizens' behaviors, visual landscapes, folk customs, and consumer lifestyles, trying to decode its mysteries along the traces of Ou-Yue culture. The two authors of this article, with the sharp eyes of journalists, (tòu zhòng zhǒng xiànxiàng), interpret the psychology and personalities of the Wenzhou people, the mysteries of their economic development, their successes and shortcomings, and it is very worth reading.
In late winter of 1998, I traveled to Wenzhou. The purpose of this trip was to understand the Wenzhou people. What kind of people are they? What characteristics do they have? Why did such a small place, with underdeveloped transportation, scarce resources, or even barren land, become home to such a group of people who transformed a seemingly ordinary Wenzhou into a vibrant and dynamic city? This is indeed a mystery. We came to Wenzhou, trying to uncover the truth.
Wenzhou is full of oddities, which may seem strange to outsiders but normal to locals. Through these strange incidents, do they not reflect some qualities of the Wenzhou people? Upon arriving in Wenzhou, before conducting in-depth interviews, we saw several oddities.
Oddity 1: Stores everywhere. The number of stores in Wenzhou is simply countless. It goes without saying that the streets and alleys are densely packed with them. But even in residential areas or government dormitories, every floor of the buildings is filled with stores! It’s like mercury seeping into the ground, penetrating every nook and cranny. Some people vividly described it: If you connect all of Wenzhou together, isn’t it just one big supermarket? I asked: Why are all the stores on the ground floors? The Wenzhou people asked back: Why shouldn't stores be on the ground floors?