On November 25, the fourth awarding ceremony for Outstanding Builders of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics within the national non-public ownership economy was held in Beijing. Yu Zhengsheng, member of the CPC Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Ma Kai, member of the CPC Politburo and Vice Premier of the State Council; Chen Changzhi, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and Chairman of Construction Central; Ling Jihua, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and Minister of the CPC United Front Work Department; and Wang Qinmin, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and Chairman of ACFIC, were present in the meeting. Chairman of Sanpower Group Yuan Yafei and other 99 individuals from non-public ownership economy and from other new social strata were bestowed the title of “Outstanding Builders of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”. They were also personally received by Yu Zhengsheng.

Since the reform and opening up, China’s non-public economy has gained rapid development, becoming an indispensable part of the socialist market economy, as well as a new economic growth point. The 16th CPC National Congress made it clear that all individuals from the non-public ownership economy who come to the fore in social changes are builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the outstanding ones of which deserve commendation. “Outstanding Builders of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” is a supreme honour endowed to individuals from the country’s non-public ownership economy, which manifests the CPC Central Committee and State Council’s amicable care and ardent expectations for them.

Yu Zhengsheng pointed out that the majority of individuals from non-public ownership economy and from other new social strata should thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, daring to assume responsibilities and courageous to take initiatives under the new historical opportunity. Besides, they should strive to achieve self-confidence in politics, self-reliance in development, and consciousness in law abiding, and constantly strengthen their faith in socialism with Chinese characteristics, trust in the Party and the government, confidence in business development, as well as credibility for the society, so as to make greater contributions to the Chinese Dream of building a well-off society in an all-round way and realising the great revitalisation of the Chinese nation.

Since he went into business in 1993, Chairman of Sanpower Group Yuan Yafei has always been harbouring confidence in the Party, in the country, and in the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. He has stressed on various occasions in and outside the company, “We were born in this great country of China and grow up in this great era of reform and opening up. Without the development of the country and the advance of the times, my colleagues and I would not have brought about Sanpower’s success.” Yuan also attaches great importance to the construction of corporate party organisations. With his support, Sanpower Group has established the first Party discipline oversight committee among Nanjing’s private enterprises.

During the past 20 years, Yuan has been committed to innovating management ideas and business models, as well as promoting the steady and healthy development of enterprises. The “WDM” marketing model and “market innovation combined with technological innovation” theory, which are inaugurated by him, are highly valued by the community. Yuan is, therefore, lauded as the management expert and industry strongman in China’s retail business. During Sanpower Group’s continuous thriving, Yuan has been actively cooperating with the government to alleviate “Employment Difficulty”. In recent years, Sanpower Group and its affiliated companies provides job slots for more than 3,500 graduates and personnel in society each year, and has thereby been awarded the “National Advanced Private Enterprise for Employment and Social Security”. He is also active in social welfare, and has been leading the Group to actively participate in various charitable activities, with a total donation of more than 300 million yuan over the years.

Chairman Yuan said he was fairly honoured to obtain the title, and that as a private entrepreneur, he would continue to uphold the conviction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, trust the party and the government, develop the Group with firmer confidence, as well as maintain its social credibility. Moreover, he would vigorously carry forward the spirit of an outstanding builder, i.e., “patriotism, dedication, innovation, integrity, law-abiding and contribution”, and integrate the Chinese dream of achieving the great revitalisation of the Chinese nation with the enterprise’s “Sanpower Dream” while continuing to forge ahead and struggle along.