Making a hobby out of his career while also being a legislator

Reporter's log | He Wei

Being socially responsible is something I consider to be crucial for a real entrepreneur. Luckily I found all these merits in Ge Junjie, vice-president of Bright Food Group Co.

Our interview was conducted in the Jingxi Hotel in Beijing, where national legislators from Shanghai stayed during this year's session of the 12th National People's Congress.

For a person with no hobby but his career, as Ge himself admitted, I could recognize his commitment to his duty as a legislator. He prepared four written suggestions for the country's top legislature, all of which were closely related to issues of widespread concern, such as food safety and overseas investment.

Ge's most important suggestion concerned legislation dealing with overseas investments by Chinese companies as an increasing number of domestic businesses extend their global footprint.

He strongly believes nurturing domestic multinational corporations should become a "national strategy" and the government should provide a one-stop service to facilitate international expansion.

"An overseas investment law can serve as the legal framework for Chinese companies to walk on the world stage, protect overseas assets and ensure sustainable growth," said Ge.

Since many Chinese companies are seeking global operations, Ge suggested that aside from the overseas investment law, the government should set up a public service platform to offer policy briefings and guidance about industry trends, as well as measures for risk control.

The move would help address common needs of companies and maximize their global potential. Ge also suggested that the country should allocate funds from its more than $3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves to bolster the international expansion of Chinese companies.

Ge's attention does not solely focus on the food and beverage sector. He also warned of the dangers of ignoring Shanghai's traditional manufacturing industries in favor of more modern sectors.

He said the majority of multinational corporations that have established footholds in China are in the traditional food and beverage sectors, as well as the automobile sector, and it is a pity homegrown brands are losing out to foreign competitors in the domestic market.

"I think a revival in the traditional sector is essential because it shapes and strengthens the backbone of the economy and creates jobs," he said, urging the government to come up with more preferential policies to bolster the sector's development.

Ge is easy-going. Before our conversation started, he greeted me with a cup of tea and some fruit. Then he talked passionately nonstop for 90 minutes.

Every time I ran into him on panel discussions during the congress meetings, he was putting across his views on socioeconomic issues and joined in heated debate with his colleagues.

I came across Ge once during a tea break and asked how he felt about being a national deputy. "It's not just an honor. It's my role to play and I must play it well," Ge said.