Chapter 2684: Government-Industry-Academia Symposium

Albert seemed to half-understand, still wanting to say something, when the attending leaders and expert scholars entered the venue. The hall instantly erupted in warm applause, with the leaders and expert scholars smiling and nodding in greeting.

On the stage, more than twenty desks and chairs were arranged in two arc-shaped rows, with the leaders seated in the front and the expert scholars in the second row; only after they sat down did the applause gradually fade.

Zhou Andong gazed at the few people seated in the middle, unconsciously sucking his teeth; he knew the symposium was of high standard, but he hadn't expected four vice-state-level bigwigs and a general in dazzling military uniform to arrive all at once.

In addition, there were the president of the Enterprise Federation, the president of the Industrial Economic Association, the president of the Women Entrepreneurs Association, the vice-director of the Economic and Trade Commission, the deputy director of the National Bureau of Statistics, the minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the secretary-general of the Central Organization Department, the vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the chairman of the National People's Congress Financial and Economic Committee, the director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Bureau of the Economic and Trade Commission, and the director of the Township and Village Enterprises Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The expert scholars included the dean of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management, the deputy director of the State Council Development Research Center, the dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, a professor at Peking University's School of Economics, the vice-dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, the editor-in-chief of People's Daily, the Economic Daily, the director of the National Economic Research Institute of the Reform Foundation, the vice-president of Shanghai Foreign Trade University, members of the WTO negotiation team, and over twenty others.

As for entrepreneurs, Zhou Andong knew only a few of them, but their company names were thunderously famous. Besides Haier and Hope, there were also Beiqi, Shougang, Erdos, Lekai Film, TCL, Yuan Da Air Conditioning, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Panasonic, Hitachi, Ericsson, and over 110 domestic and foreign enterprises.

Liu Xiangchun quietly poked Zhou Andong's arm with his finger, leaned in, and whispered: "Four bigwigs have actually come; this year's standard is much higher than last year's, and there are more participating enterprises than last year."

Zhou Andong nodded slightly and said softly: "To be honest, I initially thought this symposium was a scam to swindle money, and I didn't want to attend."

Liu Xiangchun, suppressing a laugh, said: "Chairman Zhou, if you hadn't come to participate, there would have been some excitement to watch."

Lian Xiangzhi sat in the side seat of the second row, occasionally glancing at Zhou Andong and Liu Xiangchun's backs; his eyes behind the lenses were full of envy. He had always considered himself a leader of domestic high-tech enterprises, but this time he had been overshadowed by Zhou Andong and Liu Xiangchun, leaving him feeling stifled.

The first row consisted of leaders from central state-owned enterprises and senior executives of foreign firms; Zhou Andong, as the manager of a woolen mill, sitting in the first row had nothing to say about it, but why was Zhou Andong seated in the middle?

Those veteran leaders of central state-owned enterprises were instead arranged to the side, as were those foreign firm executives, all becoming Zhou Andong's backdrop. Especially Liu Xiangchun, a chicken farmer—what qualification did he have to sit in the first row? And as for him, a leader of a high-tech enterprise and a listed company, being seated in the second row—this was utterly unfair.

Zhou Andong and Liu Xiangchun were unaware that Lian Xiangzhi's gaze was like a knife, already having mentally sliced them thousands of times. Just as they were whispering to each other, a familiar figure holding a camera walked over from among a group of reporters and then snapped shutters at them with a click-click.

Zhou Andong looked up and saw it was Guan Shengjie; upon seeing Zhou Andong look up, Guan Shengjie opened his mouth in a smile, raised his hand and pointed at the stage, meaning the meeting was about to start, and any matters could be discussed after adjournment.

Zhou Andong nodded; when had Old Guan arrived at A Rong Banner, and why hadn't he contacted himself? Tonight he'd have to pour him a few more drinks.

The meeting was chaired by Qiao Mingkang, president of the Enterprise Federation; after everyone had seated themselves, he raised his hand and tapped the microphone before him, then scanned the room and said with a smile:

"Today's grand gathering can truly be described as a convergence of virtuous talents, with the young and old assembled. All the guests here are renowned figures famed both domestically and abroad, leading entrepreneurs and academic titans. On behalf of the organizers, I sincerely thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to attend this symposium."

Having spoken, applause rang out across the hall; after the lively atmosphere slightly subsided, Qiao Mingkang gave a faint smile and continued: "Since the inaugural 'Government-Industry-Academia Symposium' was launched, we have now held two sessions. This time marks its third appearance. The theme of this session is 'Upholding the joint advancement of government, industry, and academia, and jointly discussing state affairs'..."

The two-and-a-half-hour morning meeting concluded amid the speeches of several leaders. Of course, this talk was not empty rhetoric but substantive, full of dry goods—entirely about some adjustment policies for next year concerning business and finance.

As Zhou Andong rose from his seat, the bosses behind him wanted to come over to get acquainted. But they were a step too late; all they saw was Qiao Mingkang striding down the stage in large steps, extending his hand from afar.

"Factory Manager Zhou, it's a pleasure that you could attend this symposium."

Kong Liming hurriedly introduced from the side: "Factory Manager Zhou, this is our Chairman Qiao."

Zhou Andong shook hands with Qiao Mingkang, speaking humbly: "Chairman Qiao, it is an honor for the organizers to invite me to this symposium, to exchange with so many leaders, expert scholars, and friends from the business community."

"This is also the purpose of our holding the symposium: everyone sitting together to exchange and discuss—when your enterprises develop, the national economy improves as well." Qiao Mingkang's smile never faded: "Come, let me introduce you to the leaders."

Qiao Mingkang first introduced Zhou Andong to those four central bigwigs, then proceeded to introduce the other leaders and expert scholars.

"Factory Manager Zhou!" Kang Yuannian, dean of Tsinghua's School of Economics and Management, grabbed Zhou Andong's hand and wouldn't let go: "Chairman Zhou, this time I've finally caught you. No matter what, you must promise me to take half a day to come to our School of Economics and Management and give the children a lecture."

Zhou Andong hadn't expected this old man's grip to be so strong; it hurt his hand a bit, and it seemed he couldn't refuse: "No problem, I'll check which day I'm free and then contact you."

"It's a promise!" Kang Yuannian released Zhou Andong's hand, without the slightest doubt that Zhou Andong might be deceiving him, looking very pleased.

Immediately afterward, Zhou Andong was seized by Liu Jing, dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management: "Chairman Zhou, you promised Kang Yuannian that old thing from Tsinghua's School of Economics and Management that you'd give a lecture; you must also come to my Peking University Guanghua, or you'll be showing favoritism."

Kang Yuannian said discontentedly: "Liu Jing, I invited Chairman Zhou, and you're tagging along—can't you at least save some face?"

"I say, Dean Kang." Liu Jing glanced at Kang Yuannian: "Chairman Zhou isn't your relative; what right do you have to invite him while I can't?"

Zhou Andong wore a look of helplessness: "Dean Liu, would this work? Whenever I have free time, I'll set aside a day—morning at Tsinghua, afternoon at yours."

"That works!" Liu Jing laughed: "Then let's say it's settled."

Zhou Andong chatted with the leaders and expert scholars for over twenty minutes; in the end, a bigwig spoke up: "Let's still go to the restaurant—we can eat and talk."

"Factory Manager Zhou!" This bigwig made a gesturing invitation, laughing heartily: "Factory Manager Zhou, please!"

Zhou Andong hurriedly said: "Leader, please, you go first."

Another bigwig laughed heartily: "Come on, come on, let's go together."

Zhou Andong accompanied the four bigwigs toward the restaurant, chatting as they walked; the other leaders and expert scholars followed behind. This scene made many attending bosses envious, especially Lian Xiangzhi, who was so jealous he nearly couldn't catch his breath.