Chapter 54: Passed over
After the senior Provincial Party Committee leaders finished their speeches at the front, the customary announcement of the entrepreneur candidates followed. Then, from among the two hundred or so outstanding entrepreneur candidates present,
After the senior Provincial Party Committee leaders finished their speeches at the front, the customary announcement of the entrepreneur candidates followed. Then the two hundred or so outstanding entrepreneur candidates present underwent the final round of public evaluation and voting. This one round would decide everything.
The evaluation committee consisted of senior officials from the provincial Economic and Trade Commission, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the Provincial Entrepreneurs Federation, the Provincial Enterprise Federation, the enterprise association, and other relevant bodies. Recommendations and preliminary selections had already been completed, followed by further, in-depth assessments of the two hundred or so candidates. It could be said that the specialists from these provincial departments now knew the backgrounds and records of all two hundred-plus candidates like the backs of their hands. All that remained was the final evaluation and announcement.
At this stage, things often grew even more intense. If a candidate had sufficient strength, demonstrable achievements, and well-cultivated relations with the provincial authorities, he would be crowned with glory. Otherwise, his standing would plummet. Sitting below, watching the beaming faces of those receiving commendations onstage while having to applaud them was an unpleasant feeling indeed. Not a single person present could honestly claim not to covet the outstanding entrepreneur title.
Quite apart from the prestige of such an honor, having titles such as outstanding entrepreneur or member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attached to one's name made public relations and getting things done much more efficient, vanity aside. More importantly, everyone quietly wanted to climb another rung. When needed, those halos