Chapter 1631

Next, they went on stage one by one to take photos with the white cardboard signs and then accepted interviews from the beautiful host.

This donation ceremony lasted until after five o'clock before it ended amidst enthusiastic applause.

Qiao Hui looked at the time and said to Secretary Kong, "Chief, I'm taking Chairman Zhou away; you two can talk about anything tomorrow."

Secretary Kong smiled: "Take him away. The Prefectural Committee and the Administrative Office have a joint meeting tonight. I have entrusted the most distinguished guest to you; you must entertain him well."

"Please rest assured, Chief, I guarantee I will complete the mission."

Qiao Hui gave a salute and then said to Gu Bing, Zhang Shenghui, and Wu Hongkang.

"Bosses, let's go to my place to sit for a while and have a drink."

Qiao Hui attended a military academy and, after graduation, went to the troops, and he served as a soldier in the plateau region, so he developed a straightforward personality.

He didn't even think about the fact that up until now, he hadn't interacted with Gu Bing, Zhang Shenghui, and Wu Hongkang, and whether such an invitation was very presumptuous.

He just felt that he and Zhou Andong were classmates and iron buddies. And since Gu Bing, Zhang Shenghui, and Wu Hongkang came to Ali with Zhou Andong, their relationship must be quite good, so inviting them to his home to sit for a while was no problem.

Zhou Andong said with a smile, "Chairman Gu, Old Zhang, Old Wu, since Regiment Commander Qiao has invited us, let's go over together and have a good meal at his place."

Since Zhou Andong said so, the three of them nodded.

Zhang Shenghui said with a smile, "Then we will disturb you, Regiment Commander Qiao."

"No disturbance at all." Qiao Hui was very happy: "Let's go."

Zhou Andong looked at Du Youwei: "Sister Wei, want to come with us and join the fun?"

Du Youwei shook her head: "Better not. I need to organize my manuscript tonight; I don't know how long I'll be busy."

"Alright then." Zhou Andong said: "You don't need to be too tired; if you get sick, Old Guan will come looking for trouble with me."

"It won't come to that." Du Youwei laughed: "You guys hurry up and go; don't waste time."

The group left the auditorium, and Zhou Andong and the others greeted Secretary Kong and Xu Sheng again.

"Xiaobei!" Zhou Andong said: "You ride in Qiao Hui's car, and I'll drive and follow behind."

"Okay!" Zhou Anbei followed Qiao Hui and got into the 212.

Zhou Andong said to Wang Wentian, who had walked over: "You don't need to follow me; get some rest early after eating."

"Yes!" Wang Wentian agreed.

Zhou Andong called out to Gu Bing, Zhang Shenghui, and Wu Hongkang: "Get in the car!"

The three of them got into the car, and Zhou Andong started the car and followed the 212 toward the 69310 Regiment station.

"Click!"

Zhou Andong took out a cigarette, lit one, and then threw the half-pack of cigarettes to Zhang Shenghui and Wu Hongkang in the back.

"You two, ask whatever you want to ask; once you miss this village, you won't find this shop."

Zhang Shenghui held the cigarette and glanced at Wu Hongkang.

"Are you really going to invest in chain hotels and gas stations in Ali?"

"Nonsense!" Zhou Andong had the cigarette in his mouth and took a puff: "Secretary Kong is such a sincere person; how could I have the heart to deceive him."

Zhang Shenghui frowned; he really didn't understand why Zhou Andong wanted to build a bottling base here.

Although Zhou Andong's reasons were very sufficient—to fill the void of beverages and white liquor in the Tibetan and Xinjiang regions.

And the geographical location of Shiquanhe was indeed very good; it was the intersection of the New Tibet Highway, the Anshi Highway, the Hei'a Highway, and the Ari Highway.

But he really couldn't see the future of Ali; he had no confidence in Ali at all.

Plateau, lack of oxygen, sandstorms, inconvenient transportation—who would be bored enough to come here for tourism?

But Zhou Andong wasn't just going to build a bottling base here; he also wanted to invest in chain hotels and gas stations.

Then there was only one possibility: what he saw and what Zhou Andong saw were two completely opposite directions.

He was not optimistic about the future of Ali, but Zhou Andong was full of confidence in the future of Ali.

Wu Hongkang asked: "Do you really see the future development of Ali like this?"

Zhou Andong didn't answer Wu Hongkang, but instead said: "The country is vigorously promoting the development of the tourism industry; you should know a little about this, right?"

Zhang Shenghui and Wu Hongkang nodded at the same time: "Know a little."

Zhou Andong opened a crack in the car window, and the smoke was instantly sucked out by the cold wind.

"Tourism is an effective means to develop the economy and increase employment. As early as the sixties, the central authorities realized this, so they have always been focused on the tourism economy.

With the development of the economy, ordinary people have money, the economic level has improved, and when material needs can no longer be satisfied, spiritual needs will become greater and greater.

And tourism is an important industry for improving people's living standards and satisfying the spiritual needs of ordinary people. Therefore, in order to stimulate tourism consumption, the central authorities will definitely introduce a series of measures.

For example, promoting holiday economic policies, adjusting holiday times, increasing the number of holidays, and letting ordinary people have time to travel.

Our Chinese nation has five thousand years of history; on this ancient land, there are countless famous mountains, great rivers, and historical sites.

Under the promotion of the country, the tourism industry will definitely become a strategic pillar industry of the national economy.

And Lhasa is the place closest to heaven; in Tibetan, it means the place where gods live, and it is the holy city in the hearts of the Tibetan people.

The magnificent Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple worshipped by believers every day, the bustling Barkhor Street, the world's highest peak Mount Everest, the holy lake Namtso, and also..."

Zhou Andong pointed to the front: "The holy mountain Mount Kailash that we can see—all of these things are irreplaceable to tourists compared to other places.

The people here seem to be born to pray for all living beings, chanting scriptures, turning prayer wheels, and prostrating themselves day after day, year after year.

The landscape of this land and the religious beliefs of the people have given Tibet a mysterious color, so in the future, this will be a place that everyone wants to visit at least once."

Wu Hongkang said with a smile: "Chairman Zhou, it's boring for you to play alone; count me in."

Zhou Andong laughed: "Counting you in is fine, but Old Wu, I want to advise you: don't drag the Red Star Liquor Factory into this; if you want to invest, invest in your own name."

Wu Hongkang was taken aback, then gave a wry smile: "Where would I get the money to invest?"

Zhou Andong took a final puff of his cigarette and then threw the butt out through the crack in the window.

"If you don't have money, go borrow it; borrow as much as you need to invest; you have to leave yourself a way out."

Zhang Shenghui was also very tempted, but he still felt that even if Zhou Andong's analysis made sense, the tourism industry in the Tibetan region wouldn't be able to take off within three to five years.

At this time, he heard Zhou Andong continue: "Old Wu, I must remind you that it is impossible for the tourism industry in the Tibetan region to show any improvement within five or six years.

Therefore, you can invest if you want, but you must be mentally prepared; whether it's chain hotels or chain gas stations, the profit cycle will be very long."