Model Mayor

Text: Nels Frye

Committed to improving communication with citizens, Mayor Yao of Changzhou works extra hard to make foreign residents feel connected to the community. With his time at Harvard’s Kennedy School and internationalist outlook, Yao is a new type of Chinese official, promoting transparency and sensible modernization.

 

Q: How is your “liberal attitude” manifested in your public relations?
A: We want to replace the word “propaganda” with “consultation” and “communication.” We need to update our public relations, making our methods more like those of global corporations. China has developed rapidly for 30 years; we are confident that we are doing the right thing. Now, we need to be more open and let people see the true story, which is actually very attractive. If we are more pro-active and transparent, allowing direct access to government, foreign media will naturally develop a more positive outlook.

 

Q: Direct communication is one way you make Changzhou friendlier for foreigners. Tell us more.
A: We’ve created an online channel-in the form of a blog—for discussing important issues. I respond directly to comments on the blog and take suggestions seriously. We have acted on several suggestions that appeared there. We produced an English Map for the mass transit system, got rid of meter-less cabs, and improved public bathrooms. We also created a dial-in English service for foreigners to call when they encounter a problem. As a result of all of this, I believe foreigners are satisfied and think this is a good place to live.

 

Q: Beyond the efforts to make Changzhou a welcoming environment for foreign business, what do you do to make this a good place to live?
A: We rank number one among Chinese cities in terms of transport, largely due to the highly efficient and reliable Bus Rapid Transport System (BRT). In addition to this, our roads are relatively traffic-free and we are planning to build a subway. Environmental protection is also vital. We prioritize tree planting and carbon emissions reduction. Overall, we hope to engender a sense of civic responsibility. I want residents- including foreigners- to think “our city” and “our mayor.” This is reflected in the cleanliness of our streets and the attitude of people here.

 

Q: Finally, tell us what our readers should do while in Changzhou?
A: Beyond enjoying fabulous Jiangnan cuisine, I suggest that they visit China Dinosaur Park with its collection of dinosaur bones and fossils from all over China; it also boasts roller coaster and other rides for kids. Tianning Temple, first built during the Tang Dynasty and recently reconstructed, is the tallest pagoda in the world at 153.79 meters. Take the elevator to the top for a splendid view of our city.

13 thoughts on “Model Mayor

  1. With all due respect Honorable Mayor there were some questions I had entered but are still unanswered. There are some of us who want to bring business to the city but need advice about how we should start that process.

    Which department should new business proposals go to?
    Which department should we notify if we have interested people who want to invest in Business here and attend your investment seminars?
    Who might we expect to do  the follow up for interested parties for investment?

    Who can we ask for the process of opening a business here?
    And after these visits to the different cities, which department collects all the connections and follows up on the various business leads?

  2. @FairHairBoy(BTW: your username might people think that you are not a investor?) i. e. you could contact:  www.invest-in-cnd.cn  (english website available); there ask for Terry Li, a well english spoken project-manager.

    And regarding your question:"And after these visits to the different cities, which department collects all the connections and follows up on the various business leads?"  i just say: don´t expect too much……….

  3. Mayor Yao's message in the "Mayor's Mailbox"

    Yao Xiaodong说:
    2012/05/17 21:39
    Dear TannHarvardLaw & JudgeMChgo,

    Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude for your constant concerns about our city. The problem you mentioned in Mayor’s Mailbox was reported to me by my colleagues, and I feel very sorry for the unpleasant result to follow up the business cooperation due to the previous communication problem.

    On May 24, I will lead a delegation to Chicago for investment promotion, and I expect to meet you to discuss the potential cooperation opportunities. I will ask Mr. Du Jibin, Director of Changzhou Foreign Affairs Office, who will be in delegation with me, to keep contact with you.

    As you recommended Wang Jian to go with the delegation, he could not go with us this time due to the current working arrangements. However, we appreciate your trust for him, and we will arrange him or other journalists to join the delegation led by myself or other municipal officials in the future based on work requirements. In addition, I believe that no matter Wang Jian, any other journalists, or government staff will spare no effort to contact and serve for our foreign friends.

    Sincerely yours,
    Yao Xiaodong

  4. Hi Atlanta I have picked up a lot of the ingredients for the Shredded Pork dish but don't know what CONGMO is, could you please tell me what that ingredient is in English?

  5. Does anyone know the cost to take that fast train to Tibet? Does it leave from Changzhou?

  6. A couple colleagues of mine did that trip – its a long way SLC. But the scenery is great. Might be easier to fly. Sorry don't know cost.

  7. Hello!FairHairBoy, if you want to be engaged in industrial investment, for example, to set up an enterprise, you can contact Mr. Chen, division chief of investment promotion department of Municipal Commerce Bureau, Tel: 88123167; If for venture or risk investment, you can get in touch with Mr. Xue, division chief of S&T service department of Municipal Science and Technology Bureau through Tel: 85681533.

  8. We have been informed by our consulting company that this is a valuable site to access Changzhou business and lifestyle information untethered by propaganda. We look forward to watching the topics as they unroll here.

  9. Dear Mr. Mayor,

    My business clients (Chicago Consortium) have asked me to respectfully reply to your invitation in their behalf.

    They are truly appreciative that your colleagues were able to finally inform you of their situation and there appears to be appropriate accountability shown. But Sir, it is a pity this did not occur sooner so unpleasant feelings could have been avoided.

    Although they were aware of your visit to Chicago a couple months ago, unfortunately their business schedules are now full, regrettably making it impossible for them to attend a meeting with you this week.

    Again, they thank you for the invitation!

    Respectfully Yours,

    Professor Linda Williams
    (A Loving Citizen of Changzhou)

  10. LATEST CHANGZHOU AIRPORT FLIGHTS SCHEDULE (13 different destinations).

    Hey Wang jian.. this is the latest INFO HOT OFF THE DESK from Alicia "Changzhou Website",
    address as follows http://english.cz001.com.cn/2012-06/12/content_1685828.htm

    I copied the timetable and made a couple of changes so everyone can read it more clearly.

    Wang Jian, I WILL FORWARD THE SCHEDULE TO YOUR HOTMAIL ADDRESS.

    Changzhou Airport flights Schedule for Summer/Autumn-Mar. 25-Oct. 27, 2012

    Starting from March 25, China Southern Airlines will open "Shenyang – Changzhou – Changsha" flights.
    The three-time weekly flights will be operated using an Airbus A319 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight CZ6407 will depart from Shenyang at 08:10 a.m., arriving at Changzhou airport at 10:15 a.m. and Changsha at 12:35. The return flight CZ6408 will take off from Changsha at 13:25 p.m., and arrive at Changzhou at 14:45 p.m; then it will take off from Changzhou at 15:45 p.m, and reach Shenyang at 17:55 p.m. the same day (All Beijing Time).
    From late March, 10 weekly flights to Shenyang will be available at Changzhou Airport, with lower fares at prime times.
    Flight inquiry hotline: 0519 -88100463, 89199999.

    ATLANTA (Wang Jian) PLEASE POST THE SCHEDULE.

    Thanks,

    KIWI

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