Changzhi, Changzhi

Author: Lü Rizhou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: The first self-account of an incumbent mayor since the founding of the People's Republic of China, a sincere confession from a veteran reformer deeply reflecting and acting upon his beliefs, written by Lü Rizhou, a controversial Chinese official. It breaks the "official rules" with the truth, directly addressing China's urgent and pressing rural issues. Excerpt: A housing bureau director in Changzhi City was left unable to enter his office or even return home for two years due to unresolved issues from old city renovations. Wherever he went, people followed him. In May 2000, this group went to the city committee to protest, and I met with them, offering three suggestions: First, adhere to policy regulations, ensuring full compensation where due, and resolving issues within a set deadline; Second, publicize policies, allowing the public to proceed according to regulations, with no compensation for those who don’t meet the criteria. Any further complaints would be deemed unreasonable, and legal measures would be taken; Third, those who had illegally occupied housing must vacate within a deadline, or face enforcement measures. These three approaches satisfied the public while punishing unreasonable behavior. The public stopped petitioning, and officials returned to their offices. Of course, no matter the method, the ultimate goal is to solve the problem. The key is for officials to resolve three conflicts: First, between hardship and enjoyment—do you choose hardship or enjoyment? Most officials prefer enjoyment and avoid hardship; Second, between suffering and benefiting—when working for our party, do you act when it’s tough or when it’s easy? Many only act when it’s easy and avoid when it’s tough; Third, between unprincipled unity and principled integrity—using Shanxi dialect, it’s "picking fights" versus "being reasonable." Many officials opt for unprincipled unity and avoid principled integrity that might provoke conflict. If these three issues aren’t properly addressed, no other problems can be solved.