POWER OF MIGRANT WORKERS

After spending such a lot of time with migrant workers, Miao thinks this ever-growing population deserves attention from society not because of their vulnerability, but their growing strength.

"After 30 years of hard work, many of the first generation of migrant workers have established their own businesses. By forming 14 chambers of commerce at township levels under the committee, we have been able to mobilize more Gushi people from industrial and commercial circles who are not Communists to help young migrant workers secure better jobs here and support economic development back in their hometowns," he said.

But the tool of mobilization Miao favors is not propaganda but service.

With China steering the regional trade and infrastructure drive known as the Belt and Road Initiative, Miao invited senior officials from the Foreign Ministry and economists with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee to explain to Gushi migrants what opportunities the scheme would present for them and their hometowns. Government officials from Gushi county were also invited.

"My intention is to keep them informed of China's latest policies and help make their businesses more competitive," said Miao. "It would be great if they could integrate more social responsibility into their corporate development for the good of our home county and the country."

Many chambers of commerce have invested in Gushi, in areas ranging from nursery gardens to education.

Yong Wenfu, who came to Beijing in 1993 and now runs a building material company, just signed a contract for a project in Gushi worth 70 million yuan. He said when the project was being discussed, Miao called, advising him to put the interests of local governments and people first and not to demand too much money.

Yong followed the instruction from his "elder brother."

"We know he is giving us a friendly reminder: Don't forget you are a member of the Party," said Yong.

Inspired by the dedication of the working committee, more than 100 migrant workers from Gushi have applied to join the Party and 37 have become a formal member of the Party in the past eight years.

Wang Jinlong, director of the Information Office of the CPC Central Committee's Party School, said Party leaders had required their grass-root organizations to improve services.

"Miao and his working committee faithfully followed the instruction and that's why they have won popularity among the people," Wang said.

Based on the experience in Beijing, Gushi has opened 140 Party branches and four working committees across China.

"More innovation like this is definitely needed," said Miao. "A useful gauge for me to judge a scheme is to think about the needs of the people. Do they really need it? I keep asking this question to make sure our work is on the right track."