Profile: Yu Zhengsheng: A frank, devoted friend(2)

ATTACHED TO TAIWAN COMPATRIOTS

In February, Yu attended the 2013 Working Meeting on Taiwan. When speaking of "doing more practical things and good things for Taiwan compatriots," he mentioned a "major issue" concerning hairy crabs -- Shanghai has exported baby hairy crabs and patented cultivation techniques to Miaoli County, Taiwan for two successive years to help it develop tourist agriculture and cater to the demands of Taiwan gourmets.

Although 1 million baby crabs is a small amount in terms of trade, in Yu's eyes it represented "a great event in terms of promoting friendly cooperation across the Taiwan Strait."

When he served as a top local leader, Yu placed great emphasis on protecting the legitimate interests and rights of Taiwanese business people. He was deeply concerned about the interests of Taiwan compatriots.

When Yu was the Party chief of Shanghai, the international financial crisis was spreading. Like other companies, Taiwan-funded enterprises took a big hit. Quanta Computer, a Taiwan-funded business and leading exporter on the Chinese mainland, was dragged down, too. Quanta Computer chairman Huang Jiantang was amazed to learn that at the "most critical" moment for the company's exports, Yu asked to meet with him one-on-one.

"When he saw me, Yu asked me what problems I was having. He encouraged me to speak my mind freely. I still feel warm when reflecting on his words," said Huang.

One day in March last year, Yu paid a low-key visit to the plant of Taiwan-funded Jifu New Energy in the suburbs. He talked with workers on the production line for an hour. This wasn't the first time Yu had visited a plant incognito.

"Yu was modest. He well understood solar energy and film technology. He encouraged Taiwan businesses in the city to explore high technology and transform themselves. He replied to all the questions raised by businesses. I felt I had met a bosom friend in technology," said Liu Youhai, general manager of Jifu New Energy.

When he worked as a local official, Yu often met with people from all circles in Taiwan. When the World Expo was held in Shanghai in 2010, Yu was personally concerned about the progress of construction on the Taiwan Pavilion and the Taipei Case Pavilion, expecting the two venues to act as bridges for cultural exchange across the Strait.

On March 7, Yu deliberated on Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report with the Taiwan delegation at the first session of the 12th National People's Congress. He said efforts must be made to promote cross-Strait economic cooperation for mutual benefit, expand personnel exchanges across the Strait, deepen cultural and educational exchanges, and improve the quality and efficiency of communications.

"We must take it as the main thread of our work regarding Taiwan to unite with the mass of Taiwan compatriots, do more practical work and do more good works for them, and continue to gather momentum for peaceful development across the Strait," he said.

SEEKING TRUTH FOR THE MASSES

Yu, scholarly and refined in his manner of speech and behavior, is a leader in the scholarly style. His ancestral home is Shaoxing, in east China's Zhejiang Province. He was born in 1945 in Yan'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a sacred place for the Chinese revolution. After graduating from the Harbin Military Engineering Institute, he did technical work for 16 years.

Yu successively assumed the office of head of the China Foundation for Disabled Persons, mayor of Yantai City, mayor and Party secretary of Qingdao City, construction minister, Hubei provincial Party secretary, and Shanghai Party secretary. In 2002, he was elected a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and had served two five-year terms since then.

"Do more practical things and solve more problems. I have no aspirations for great things. I just wish to be worthy of the country and people." This is Yu's political creed. Look for truth, be pragmatic and do solid work. These principles are what impress people most about Yu, and this is exactly how the CPPCC fulfills its function -- by digging deep during investigations, combining theory with practice, and maintaining extensive links with the masses.

Yu is used to the style of conducting investigations "with light luggage and few attendants." Yu usually speaks without notes. During investigations, he prefers to ask questions rather than listen to reports. He tells the petition department and his secretary to show him any letters of substantial content or those that keenly reflect problems.

In the eyes of the public, Yu does not have the air of an official. His car license plate number was selected randomly, in contrary to the common practice of adopting auspicious numbers. When going out, he tells the accompanying security vehicle to follow him, so as not to disturb people by clearing the way in front. When walking on the road, he often stops to chat with sanitation workers or tourists. He is "Old Yu" in the minds of the common people. But to many officials, he is stern and asks probing follow-up questions when anything crops up.

Yu is fond of reading. Hanging around in bookstores and bookstalls is a hobby when he can snatch a moment of leisure amidst his busy work. Yu, a veteran netizen, follows the news on the Internet every day.

Yu's parents were senior ministerial-level officials after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Yu's wife, Zhang Zhikai, is retired. The couple have a son. After work, Yu sometimes goes to the market to buy food. He cooks dishes when he has time. He is a man of north China by birth, but he is passionate about southern food.