Practical, effective and practical

Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council pointed out that college students are the vanguard in implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation. They must not only study diligently and thoroughly to acquire more knowledge, but also engage in entrepreneurial and innovative activities to enhance their practical capabilities. Innovation and entrepreneurship education should be integrated into talent development, effectively fostering students’ entrepreneurial awareness, innovative spirit, and creative abilities, thereby cultivating a robust environment for mass entrepreneurship and innovation and providing a continuous stream of talented and intellectually capable personnel to support the building of an innovative nation.

On the morning of June 15, Mr. Liu Tianwei—National Model Worker, Outstanding Private Entrepreneur of Yunnan Province, Standing Committee Member of the Xishuangbanna Prefecture Political Consultative Conference, and Chairman of the Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group—visited the College of Tropical Crops at Yunnan Agricultural University to deliver a lecture titled “The Two-Yuan Path to Entrepreneurship,” during which he shared his insights on entrepreneurship and innovation with faculty and students across the university. The event was attended by more than 160 people, including Lei Zhengfu, Executive Vice Dean of the College of Tropical Crops; Zhou Yanfei, Vice Dean; Liu Lin, Deputy General Manager of the Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group; Wang Jinzheng, Chairman of the Trade Union; as well as faculty and students from the college, who listened intently to Chairman Liu Tianwei’s inspiring presentation.

Chairman Liu Tianwei delivered a presentation titled “The Two-Yuan Entrepreneurial Journey.”

Zhou Yanfei, Vice Dean of the College of Tropical Crops at Yunnan Agricultural University, attended the lecture on site.

College and company leaders jointly attended the lecture on site with the students.

The students listened attentively, and the venue was packed.

Chairman Liu Tianwei began his legendary journey of working in Xishuangbanna—this beautiful, mysterious, and bountiful region—by hitching a ride on a large truck in the spring of 1979, armed with only two yuan, as he seized the opportunity presented by China’s reform and opening-up. Over the years, he endured countless hardships and trials, taking on a wide range of jobs: laborer at a farm’s hydropower station, temporary rubber-tapping worker, apprentice photographer traveling from village to village, operator of a small convenience store, breeder of bullfrogs, and driver of heavy trucks. In 1993, he founded Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group Co., Ltd., and through more than two decades of relentless effort and perseverance, grew the company into a “Top 100 Private Enterprise in Yunnan Province” and a “Designated Protected Enterprise of the Non-Public Sector in Yunnan Province,” with fixed assets totaling RMB 2 billion and over 1,000 employees. The company’s business scope spans refined oil import, gas stations, bottled liquefied petroleum gas, piped natural gas, real estate, minerals, forestry operations, and the Wild Elephant Spring drinking-water brand, among other sectors. Moreover, Chairman Liu has donated more than RMB 80 million in cash and goods to support various social causes, earning him recognition as a truly compassionate enterprise leader. Through his own firsthand entrepreneurial experience, Chairman Liu delivered a vivid Party lesson to the faculty and students of the college, emphasizing the honor of hard work and the importance of unwavering conviction. The auditorium was packed, the atmosphere electric, and the students listened attentively, occasionally breaking into applause and expressions of admiration.

Students engaged in in-depth discussions and interactive exchanges with Chairman Liu Tianwei on site.

During the interactive session, students in attendance engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges with Chairman Liu Tianwei on topics such as “How college students can put the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship into practice and strive to become socially engaged students,” “What are the current approaches for college students to start their own businesses,” and “The differences between micro-business entrepreneurship and traditional brick-and-mortar entrepreneurship.” The lecture lasted for more than two hours. At the conclusion, a participating student remarked: “This entrepreneurship lecture hosted by the college provided a valuable opportunity for students and entrepreneurs to interact. Chairman Liu Tianwei’s humorous and engaging style helped us college students gain a fresh perspective on society and the workplace. It was an excellent lecture.”

Cui Wenrui, Secretary of the Youth League Committee of the College of Tropical Crops at Yunnan Agricultural University, presided over the briefing session, extending a warm welcome to Chairman Liu Tianwei and his delegation from the Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group. He stated: “This lecture is in line with the prevailing trends of our times and aligns with the ‘mass entrepreneurship and innovation’ initiative. The primary objective of holding this event is to encourage our university students to cultivate a stronger spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. In today’s highly competitive job market, it is crucial for students to not only enhance their learning abilities but also develop their entrepreneurial and innovative capabilities, thereby setting clear goals for their future.”

Finally, Teacher Cui Wenrui, Secretary of the College Youth League Committee, summarized Chairman Liu Tianwei’s presentation with the words: “Though the road may be rough, forging ahead with dreams in our hearts makes our steps firm; though entrepreneurship is fraught with hardship, enduring trials and overcoming obstacles ensures that eventual success will be truly rewarding.” He then encouraged all the students to take these words to heart.

Liu Tianwei, Chairman of the Xishuangbanna Petrochemical Group, stated in an exclusive interview with Pu’er City Television that the Group plans to deepen its talent-development collaboration with the College of Tropical Crops at Yunnan Agricultural University. Once the timing is right, the Group’s Tianwei Charity Foundation will establish the “Tianwei Scholarship” at the college to provide financial assistance to academically outstanding but financially disadvantaged university students, helping them complete their studies and realize their dreams.