Xinhua News Agency reported that before heading to Singapore to welcome the Youth Olympic Games flag, Nanjing Mayor Ji Jianye gladly accepted an exclusive interview with Express. The interview lasted for more than 3 hours, during which he frankly talked about his feelings and thoughts on working in Nanjing for a year, without avoiding hot or focal points.
Before going to Singapore to welcome the Youth Olympic Games flag, Nanjing Mayor Ji Jianye gladly accepted an exclusive interview with Express. The time was chosen on August 21 (Saturday), and the place was the Nanjing Urban Planning and Construction Exhibition Hall. During the more than 3-hour interview, Ji Jianye did not avoid hot or focal points, openly talking about his feelings and thoughts on working in Nanjing for a year. He was often moved when mentioning Nanjing City and Nanjing people. He also rarely complained about some work difficulties.
Talk about city construction
[Topic: Rainwater and sewage diversion]
>> "Now we need to calculate the big account, the long-term account, the account of improving urban quality, and the account of improving the quality of life for the people."
Ji Jianye: The rainwater and sewage diversion project was implemented earlier in France, Germany, the United States, and Japan. As for Nanjing, this project was not started after we came. In the past few years, the government has been brewing and implementing this project, making a plan for the rainwater and sewage diversion project in the urban area, hoping to find a place in the old city to pilot and promote it.
Ji Jianye: For Nanjing, the main urban area has already reached more than 500 square kilometers, and the infrastructure construction and functional construction of the city have also achieved remarkable results. However, with the development of urbanization, the load of various urban sewage is getting larger and larger. And our rivers have not yet truly gotten rid of the situation of smelly water. After the river is cleaned up, it looks fine under normal circumstances, but once it rains, the rainwater and sewage all go out, so Xuanwu Lake, Qinhuai River, and more than 80 rivers in the city often have problems with smelly water.
This problem seems to be on the water surface, but its root cause is on the shore. Because many places do not implement sewage interception, once it rains, the sewage follows the rainwater into the river. We keep throwing money into the water to clean up the river, but we cannot really "throw" the money into the water; we also need to "throw" the money on the shore, only then can we solve the problem.
Urban development needs to calculate the long-term account
Ji Jianye: I think there are several benefits, and the people will definitely feel them in the future: first, the problem of smelly river water can be alleviated until it is completely solved. Second, it can effectively reduce the load of sewage in the river. Third, it can effectively alleviate the catastrophic consequences brought by heavy rain and strong storms to the city. Fourth, it can improve the quality of life for the people.
From a long-term perspective, the people hope to live more happily in this city, with better atmospheric environment, water environment, urban appearance, etc. Therefore, now we need to calculate the big account, the long-term account, the account of improving urban quality, and the account of improving the quality of life for the people. If we calculate the small account, it will be difficult to improve the quality of life. Only when the people's sense of happiness, satisfaction, pride, and belonging in this city is enhanced, will they truly say that the city is my home.
Do not have a "do nothing" government
Ji Jianye: Simply labeling some projects in the government's urban planning and construction as image projects, I think, is wrong. If the officials of the government come for one term and the appearance remains unchanged, what will the masses finally think of the government? A government that does nothing compared to a government that does something, I think we still need to do something; doing nothing definitely won't work. When the people realize later, they will also say that you didn't do anything.
For the government, there is a relationship between long-term interests and short-term interests, local interests and overall interests, the immediate interests and fundamental interests of the people. Therefore, on this issue, the Party committee and the government should have the correct view of achievements, encouraging cadres at all levels of the government to do practical things, things that satisfy the people, and things beneficial to the long-term development of the city.
Some comments and suggestions from the internet and the public are normal, including media supervision. We need to discover the shortcomings in our work from these.
[Topic: Urban Function]
>> "Imagine if the sky is full of spider webs and the ground is full of barriers, where is the beauty of the city?"
The transformation of Sanzhong Road was not a sudden idea
Ji Jianye: Some people asked me why I started with Sanzhong Road as soon as I arrived. It wasn't a sudden idea. Overall, the urban image and appearance of Nanjing are relatively good, but there are some places where the environment is relatively messy, with some illegal buildings, unauthorized constructions; on both sides of the main roads, the small parks and green spaces for people's daily lives are relatively insufficient, and a large amount of hard isolation is used on the roads. Imagine if the sky is full of spider webs and the ground is full of barriers, where is the beauty of the city? It certainly won't look beautiful. So the municipal committee and the municipal government decided to comprehensively plan and rectify the underground, ground, and above-ground areas, gradually demolish illegal buildings, including greening, road rights distribution, etc., and re-plan. We formulated a comprehensive urban environmental governance plan, where 60 main roads in the urban area and 1200 streets and alleys will undergo overall rectification, three-dimensional rectification.
If the government only rectifies the main roads and not the streets and alleys, that would really be an image project.
Ji Jianye: If the government only rectifies the main roads and not the streets and alleys, that would really be an image project. Streets and alleys are where the people travel every day, but many of our streets and alleys are uneven, some lack fire protection facilities and underground pipeline systems. Now we have rectified places like Biting Alley, Shen Juren Alley, and even some old neighborhoods, and the overall feedback from the people has been positive, so this rectification is necessary, and we want to continue to do it well.
The process of environmental remediation is also a continuous improvement process, such as removing newspaper kiosks from the roads where people said it was inconvenient, we need to arrange them properly, to make people's lives convenient, so the layout must be coordinated to make it as convenient as possible for people's lives, and measures that benefit the people and facilitate their lives must follow up.
We cannot pick corn and lose watermelons
Ji Jianye: Take Yanzijin area as an example, after some officials from northern Jiangsu visited there, they wrote to me saying that this place is worse than some small counties in northern Jiangsu, which was very harsh words. In June this year, we discussed with the district and planned to urbanize the area within two years, and this work has already started. Remediation should come before development. We should not pick corn and lose watermelons. If this area is well remediated, the northern area will become a very good residential area.
Xiaguan Binjiang sector is currently integrating and undergoing urbanization remodeling; Jiangxin Island sector, two years ago, the Singapore government, the provincial government, and the municipal government established a cooperation agreement, namely jointly developing an ecological science and technology island, the preliminary planning has basically ended, and now it has entered the implementation stage; Old Chengnan area, this time we are not using the development of this area as a platform, but protecting, utilizing, renovating, and reviving it, transforming its function into a historical and cultural street, a cultural tourism area, and now it has started operations...
[Topic: Urban Transportation]
>> "In the future, we should aim to make about 35% of the people's travel through rail transit."
In the future, 35% of people's travel will rely on rail transit
Ji Jianye: Rail transit is an important choice for Nanjing to solve the difficulty of people's travel. Recently, we invited the urban construction and transportation department of Singapore to work with us on the network planning of transportation and the ecological protection planning of the city. An important aspect of transportation planning is to solve the problem of rail transit, aiming to make about 35% of people's travel in the future through rail transit.
As of May 28, the operational mileage of Nanjing's rail transit has already reached 85 kilometers, currently being the fourth largest city domestically. We aim to start the construction of 176 kilometers by around 2014, reaching 250 kilometers of operational mileage by 2015.
The bypass road should learn from "Shennan Avenue"
Ji Jianye: In the next few years, significant measures will also be taken in Nanjing's cross-river transportation construction. After the completion of the Yangtze River Tunnel, the construction of Weisan Road is accelerating, mainly crossing the river from Xinfanmolu Road; the construction of the bridge and the fourth bridge will be completed by 2013; further expanding the cross-river transportation through subway lines 1 and 3. Including the annual ticket system we proposed, it is also considering solving the cross-river problem.
Around the urban area, a fast traffic system needs to be further established. The bypass road in the east of the city will be further renovated, and after the opening of the RAOYUE section from the third bridge to the Shanghai-Nanjing expressway in October this year, the bypass road will be transformed into an urban arterial road, from Maqun to Xishanqiao, to the Jiangshan Street in Hexi New Town, adding up to nearly 30 kilometers. They asked me what standard to transform it to? I said the standard of "Shennan Avenue," which is an urban arterial road, connecting the southern new city, Qilinmen, Baxia Science and Technology Park, Xianlin University Town, Jiangning, and the railway south station through integrated lines.
It seems that entering the urban area of Jiangning is still a bit troublesome now, although Kazi Gate and Shuanglong Bridge have been renovated, Kazi Gate has become a bottleneck, and our inner ring line needs to be further improved and planned.
Removing barriers is not an excuse for jaywalking
Ji Jianye: To be honest, when the barriers were first removed, the public had a lot of opinions. Traffic management is a process, and now the situation of people crossing the road illegally has greatly improved. We need to guide citizens to follow traffic rules and walk civilly. We cannot encourage people to think that because the barriers were removed, jaywalking becomes justified. Small reasons should yield to bigger ones. Double yellow lines are considered barriers in traffic regulations. I believe that improving the quality of the citizens in a city includes walking civilly, which is also an aspect. Civilized walking, everyone following traffic rules, makes our city appear more civilized.
[Topic: Livelihood Urban Construction]
>> "The city is built for the people, and ultimately, we are doing things for the people, so it's called livelihood urban construction."
The city is built for the people
Ji Jianye: The city is built for the people, it's the living space for the people. Ultimately, we are doing things for the people, so it's called livelihood urban construction. For instance, leisure spaces for the urban residents, riverside and roadside green belts need to be built, as well as pedestrian paths along the water. There are over 80 rivers in the urban area, and during the rain-sewage separation renovation, there is a requirement that wherever possible, the rivers should be made accessible to the people, including the Jinchuan River.
I mentioned earlier the renovation of small streets and alleys, community medical service centers, supporting public service facilities, small parks in the community, fitness and leisure centers for the people. Some places also need to set up food centers and vendor centers. People need to live, and if they have to run far to buy a dough stick, it's too inconvenient. The food centers in Singapore are quite charming, located near the neighborhoods, where after coming out of the metro, walking a short distance leads to eating there, and then going home or taking it away, which is very convenient. These are all things we need to consider. We are preparing to launch key work in ten aspects, gradually rolling them out.
Let me vent a little
Ji Jianye: Mentioning this, let me vent a little. Now everyone says there are not enough public restrooms and trash bins, everyone says there aren't enough, but no one knows where to put them. Also, take the substation, the electricity supply in the southern part of the city is very tight in summer, but building a substation is harder than climbing to heaven. And garbage transfer stations, everyone hopes they are not built near their homes. In the past, there were considerations lacking in planning, without unified layouts. But now, with the population expansion in the city, toilets, substations, must be built. Issues like the vegetable exchange point at Ke Lane recently reported by Express are all related to people's livelihoods. They must be uniformly laid out, understood by the people, and then gradually implemented.
Taking a picture of "blue sky and white clouds" in the morning
Ji Jianye: Let me tell you about my personal experience. In mid-July, after a few days of rain, the temperature rose, and visibility increased. One morning, I opened the window and saw blue skies and white clouds, with distant buildings clearly visible. I was very happy and took a picture, saying that if we could see this level of clarity all the time, I would be satisfied. Taking this picture as an example, we truly aim to achieve "blue skies and white clouds" in this city. Of course, it's challenging, but our dreams and the expectations of the people are high.
Ji Jianye: The current atmospheric pollution in Nanjing comes from automobile exhaust, accounting for 40%, second is dust, and the third is industrial waste gas emissions, which are roughly between 15% to 20%. Regarding automobile exhaust, we have already implemented restrictions on yellow-label vehicles, and we are currently applying to the National Environmental Protection Department, hoping that Nanjing can be the first to implement Euro IV emission standards, striving to get the approval this year and implement it as soon as possible to reduce exhaust emissions.
Regarding dust, we require that soil during greenery construction should not be higher than the curb. Once it exceeds the curb, it gets washed down below when it rains, and once it dries, it immediately turns into dust flying everywhere.
[Topic: July 28 Explosion]
>> "What event since I came to Nanjing has been most distressing? This is it."
Ji Jianye: This accident has caused great shock to our hearts. The accident occurred due to various reasons, historical, planning-related, and pipeline-related. As city managers, what should we think about? First, the safety of the city's people. Safe development, urban safety, and the health of the people's lives—if we cannot make the people feel secure and allow them to live peacefully, then the leader is actually derelict in duty.
Secondly, we must prevent such accidents from happening again through systems, norms, and planning.
If I say that what event since I came to Nanjing has been most distressing, this is it. Other matters haven't reached the point where we couldn't solve them, but this one has. I returned to my room at 2:30 in the morning and couldn't sleep. Usually, I sleep from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM. Before, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down, but now I wake up every half hour, every hour, and cannot sleep soundly.
The impact of this accident has been enormous, and the shock we've felt in our hearts is indeed great. The loss of people's lives and property cannot be compensated by GDP. I feel that in the process of development, we have indeed needed to pay a certain price for safety issues and environmental protection issues. This incident has deepened our understanding of "scientific development." Everyone must be vigilant; economic development must be safe, ensuring the safety and health of the city and its people. This is one of our goals.
-Talking about Personal Experiences
The biggest challenge is oneself, and the people of Nanjing are very inclusive towards me.
Talking about Nanjing
The people of Nanjing are very inclusive towards me.
Ji Jianye: Nanjing has a profound cultural heritage and a good ecological environment, which is a rich advantage given to us by our ancestors. I feel very happy working in this city. Nanjing is also rich in scientific, humanistic, and educational resources. So, as Secretary Zhu Shanlu said, Nanjing has a heavy foundation, sometimes starting slowly, but once it starts, it will be fast and stable.
Speaking of the people of Nanjing, they are honest, hardworking, open-minded, inclusive, diligent, and sincere. Doing things is rather straightforward, and everyone treats each other sincerely. We have joys and worries in our work, and for those of us who come from other places as "new Nanjing residents," the people of Nanjing are very inclusive.
Talking about myself
The biggest challenge is myself.
Ji Jianye: The biggest challenge is myself. I have served as mayor in county-level cities and prefecture-level cities, and now I am in the provincial capital city. I feel that the platform of Nanjing is very large, which is a challenge for me. Because I need to understand this city, comprehend this city, read this city, and strive for its development and the welfare of its people.
Ji Jianye: Some colleagues told me that the mayor is very busy, and I am seen on TV every day. I said that what you see on TV is less than one-tenth of my actual work. Coming to Nanjing to work, this baton has been passed to me, how to build Nanjing well requires understanding from multiple aspects. Besides desk research, it also involves field research, and many other channels. Meeting more people, listening to their suggestions, understanding their joys and sorrows, is very important for the government's decision-making.
Ji Jianye (laughing): Yes, I have been to Xuanwu Lake several times, and people recognized me, saying, "This is Mayor Ji," and another person saying, "It seems like him."
In Yangzhou, it was the same. Once, a citizen rode a bike toward me and greeted me, and then turned back: "Mayor Ji, take care of your health!" That moment of happiness is irreplaceable.
A large number of letters from the people, I don't let the office handle them, I read them every day myself. Why? This is an important channel for me to understand the sentiments, ideas, and wishes of the citizens. If the people can truly decide to write to you, it means they have thought about it carefully. So we endure a bit more hardship and fatigue, trying our best to handle the people's affairs well. Even if they cannot be handled, specific methods should be provided. We hope that our departments and civil servants, led by me, can help the people as much as possible, and do whatever we can to help.
What I want to say to the citizens of Nanjing
Hope that the citizens are proud of Nanjing
Ji Jianye: Over the past year, I have deeply fallen in love with this city. I think this city deserves our efforts, so I want to say to the 8 million people of Nanjing, let's all contribute to the development of this city and do what we can. I hope that our citizens will be proud of Nanjing. Frankly speaking, Nanjing is a city worth our pride, worth our contribution, and worth our efforts.
All cadres in Nanjing should also be proud of this city. We need to significantly enhance the sense of belonging and pride among the citizens, thereby enhancing the happiness of the people in this city. Happiness is originally a process from low to high, and the happiness of this city is not in the hands of the leaders, but in the hands of the people. If everyone puts their heart and effort into giving more advice, worrying less for the city, and contributing more to the development of the city, I believe that Nanjing's tomorrow will be better. We are full of confidence!
-Listening to Officials' Views on Mayor Ji
In just one year, he has become an "old Nanjing resident"
Ji Jianye calls himself a "new Nanjing resident," but after chatting with some "old Nanjing residents," they often widen their eyes and shake their heads: impossible, you are more "Nanjing" than the old Nanjing residents! And after a whole year of contact and "collision," the officials at all levels in Nanjing have gained more understanding and knowledge of the new mayor.
Using up more than a dozen maps of Nanjing in one year
Within half a month of assuming office, Ji Jianye went to visit the shantytowns in the old Jiangkou area of Xiaguan with a map in his pocket, without a car or accompanying personnel, frequently taking out the map to study how to go. In everyday surveys, after going to a place, he also likes to take out the map to compare it afterward.
At the media meeting after being elected mayor of Nanjing at the beginning of the year, he said, "One is to summarize, analyze, and synthesize from a large amount of historical data and historical materials, finding out where Nanjing was good in the past, where it was insufficient, where our advantages lie, and where our disadvantages lie. The second is still on the legs, to run around more, listen more to the voices and emotions of the people..."
What he says is highly operational
Director Zhou Jinliang of the Nanjing Housing and Construction Commission said that Ji Jianye often says a phrase: "Once said, it counts; once decided, it's done." And once said, it must have been carefully thought out and strategically planned, like Sanzhong Road, despite many people not fully understanding why Ji Jianye started repairing the road as soon as he assumed office, but Zhou Jinliang believed that even before officially coming to Nanjing, Ji Jianye had already conducted extensive investigations and research, including the rainwater and sewage diversion project. In Zhou Jinliang's view, the reason why Nanjing has seen so many major actions in just one year is absolutely not a decision made in a single day.
Another official evaluating Ji Jianye's pragmatic style said, "What he says is highly operational, which is what people value the most."
Mayor "understands the trade" and puts pressure on cadres
"Working with Mayor Ji is stressful because he understands, and it's hard to fool him." Many interviewed officials sighed.
The renovation of Zhongshan East Road is the most typical example. Chen Lei, then Director of the Municipal Public Utilities Bureau, remembered that every time Ji Jianye came to the site, he would offer some suggestions, even specifying the height and width of the steps in the pedestrian tunnels. For example, increasing left-turn lanes at intersections, making bus stops into bay-style ones; pre-burying telecommunication pipes at four-way intersections to avoid repeated excavation... All these were suggested by him, "which shows he's an expert!"
Working 16 hours a day
"Mayor Ji spends a lot of time every night handling letters from the people. As long as they are addressed to him, he reads them all, and after reading them, he assigns them to different departments based on different situations." Staff from the General Office said that after reviewing documents at night and reading letters from the people, Ji Jianye usually continues to read some materials, including advanced domestic and international technical materials and development experiences..." Thus, he rests after midnight almost every day, "almost every day for a year, working more than 16 hours a day!"
□Fast Reporter
Zheng Chunping, Lu Wei, Li Yingxin