Chapter 1207

"On the 15th of this month, the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations concluded at the International Conference Center in Geneva."

The old man looked at Zhou Andong, his expression becoming solemn.

"Next April, a ministerial meeting of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade will be held in Marrakech, Morocco. At that time, representatives from more than 100 countries and regions will sign the final document of the Uruguay Round agreement and the agreement to establish the World Trade Organization. At that time, our country's Vice Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade will sign the document on behalf of the government."

Zhou Andong's heart stirred, and he said insincerely: "This is a good thing, but I don't know why you don't seem very happy."

"Sigh!"

The old man sighed and picked up his teacup to take a sip: "But the US and European countries have been forcing us to open up the grain market, which is not a good thing."

"Grain is a major strategic issue related to our country's national economic development, social stability, and national self-reliance. Once opened up and controlled by US and European capital, it will be very dangerous."

"Then don't open it up."

Zhou Andong said again. The old man ignored him and continued.

"The foundation of the country and the stomachs of more than a billion people must absolutely not be handed over. Especially with wolves like the US and Europe, we must maintain long-term vigilance.

But if we insist on not opening up, our accession to the WTO will be full of obstacles, and we may even be rejected repeatedly. Especially recently, the calls from below to open up the grain market have been getting louder and louder.

Therefore, the pressure on the central authorities is getting greater and greater, and we old guys are arguing endlessly. Those who disagree with opening up are worried about the grain market being controlled by US and European capital. Those who agree have a simple reason: at the current stage, economic development is the priority, and future matters can be dealt with later."

Zhou Andong exhaled: "You told me all this, what kind of answer do you want to get from me?"

"I don't want your answer." The old man said dissatisfiedly: "I want to know your opinion."

Zhou Andong asked: "What is the ratio of those who support opening up to those who don't?"

The old man said: "Half and half, about the same."

Zhou Andong fell silent. This was a major national strategic issue, and he really didn't want to express an opinion.

But seeing the old man's attitude, if he didn't say something, he wouldn't be able to leave this room today.

Just then, a cigarette was stuffed into his mouth, and immediately after, with a 'click', a lit lighter was held up in front of him.

Zhou Andong tilted his head to look at Jian Qiu, who was holding the lighter, shook his head slightly, and took the cigarette from his mouth into his hand.

"It's okay." Jian Qiu stuffed the cigarette back into his mouth, lit it for him, and then got up to open the window.

The cigarette burned. Zhou Andong didn't smoke it, just watched the smoke rise before his eyes, changing into different shapes, and then slowly drifting away.

Time passed bit by bit. After a good while, Zhou Andong said softly: "Completely opening up the grain market is absolutely not okay, and it cannot be opened. But joining the WTO without opening it up is also not okay, and there is pressure from all sides, whether from the US and Europe or from within ourselves. This problem cannot be ignored."

"Yes." The old man's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table: "This is the difficult part. Opening up is not okay, and not opening up is also not okay."

Seeing Jian Qiu leaning against the windowsill, standing by the window, Zhou Andong took a puff of the cigarette: "So, when wolves are in power, we must learn to dance with wolves."

"When wolves are in power, we must learn to dance with wolves." The old man's eyes lit up instantly: "Continue."

Zhou Andong organized his language: "The staple grain market absolutely cannot be opened up, but the non-staple grain market can be opened. However, opening up does not mean letting go. After all, our country's arable land only accounts for 7% of the world's total, but we have to feed 20% of the world's population.

Therefore, we must plan for national grain security from a strategic height, designate permanent basic farmland, and ensure grain self-sufficiency..."

"Wait!" The old man interrupted Zhou Andong, then stood up and gave up his seat: "Qiuchiu, you take notes for Grandpa."

"Okay!" Jian Qiu sat in the chair, opened the notebook on the table, picked up the fountain pen, and looked at Zhou Andong: "Say it again."

Zhou Andong was helpless and said it all over again: "Integrate the 'Jia' grain reserves originally stored for famine relief, the military 506 grain reserves stored for war preparedness, and the special grain reserve warehouses established in 1990 to solve the problem of farmers' difficulty in selling grain during bumper harvests. Establish the China Grain Reserves Management Company, under the vertical management of the central authorities..."

Zhou Andong spoke for half an hour. Jian Qiu's shorthand speed was very fast. When Zhou Andong's voice fell, she also put down the fountain pen in her hand almost at the same time.

The old man picked up the notebook, flipped through it, and then put on his overcoat and left.

Zhou Andong blinked: "Where is this old man going?"

Jian Qiu stood up and stretched her wrists: "To a meeting, obviously."

Zhou Andong muttered dissatisfiedly: "He didn't even say thank you. How rude."

"What did you say?" Jian Qiu didn't hear clearly and looked at Zhou Andong suspiciously.

"Nothing." Zhou Andong picked up the cigarettes beside him and chuckled: "Let's go, let's go to Qiudongfang."

Forbidden City, No. 3 Conference Room!

Elder Jian held his teacup, looking triumphantly at the few white-haired old men across from him, who were passing around the notebook, among whom was Ye Tuan.

"Jian Hongzhang!" Ye Tuan put down the notebook, his face full of astonishment: "Did you summarize this?"

Elder Jian smiled: "Never mind whether I summarized it or not, just tell me if it works."

Ye Tuan and Elder Jian had the same idea: they absolutely could not open up the grain market.

After all, they had come through the war years and had been hungry, knowing the importance of grain.

But he also knew that if the grain market wasn't opened up, how could they talk about joining the international trade organization?

And those who supported opening up the grain market were not blind to the drawbacks, but the country needed to develop, and this step had to be taken.

Therefore, whether they supported it or not, they were caught in a dilemma.

Now, what was recorded in this notebook could be considered a solution to this difficult problem.

Staple grain is not opened up, only non-staple grain is opened up, and then targeted layouts are made to ensure grain security.

Ye Tuan shook his head: "This definitely wasn't summarized by you. You don't have this kind of brain."

"Fart!" Elder Jian cursed: "How come I don't have this kind of brain? You have a brain, did you summarize it?"

Ye Tuan huffed and stopped talking, lowering his head to look at the notebook, not knowing what he was thinking.

At this time, an old man next to him snatched the notebook from Ye Tuan's hand and then tapped on the table.

"There is a sentence on this that is well said: When wolves are in power, we must learn to dance with wolves."