Editors’ Note: August 22 is the 100^th anniversary of Mr. Deng Xiaoping’s birth. Throughout his life, Deng Xiaoping has proved to be far-sighted and persevering, a man of quick understanding and decisive action. The contribution he has made to the revolution and his courage as an innovator have earned the trust of the Chinese people. While the whole nation is celebrating the centennial anniversary, Jinling people are brought back to an unforgettable moment 19 years ago.

 

At about 10 am, Feb. 2, 1985, a motorcade stopped in front of Jinling Hotel, and a hale and hearty old man walked out.  Accompanied by the leaders of the Jiangsu Communist Party Committee and the provincial government, Chairman Deng Xiaoping came to Jinling for a visit.

 

The hotel management reported to the Chairman about Jinling’s development. Since its opening on October 4, 1983, the 37-floor hotel had achieved outstanding reputation in Nanjing and around the country.  With the adoption of the reform and opening policy, the State Council granted the establishment of modern hotels by introducing overseas investment.  Jinling was one of the six such hotels first ratified and was managed by Chinese people themselves.

 

Chairman Deng listened attentively. He spoke highly of Jinling’s creative management that integrated foreign managing experience with its own practice, especially the creation based on imitation. You have done a very good job, said Deng.

 

The hotel management also mentioned about some difficulties the state-owned Jinling had met.  It was hard to expand the markets for there were no international flights between Nanjing and international gateway cities.  Foreign visitors had to go to Shanghai first and spent several hours taking the train to Nanjing.  If the direct airline between Hong Kong and Nanjing could be opened again (it had been opened around 1980), the number of visitors would increase greatly.  Another alternative was to arrange chartered planes between the two cities.

 

Chairman Deng considered this problem for a while and then asked a quick solution from the concerning department.  Three months later (in May of 1985), the charted plane began its journey.  A group of Hong Kong VIPs flew to Nanjing to celebrate the flight and stayed in Jinling.  The now twice-a-day flight has made great contributions to the economic development of Jiangsu and Nanjing.

 

After the report, the Chairman signed his name in the VIP Guests’ Book.

 

The luncheon was held on the 36th-floor Sky Palace, which was the highest and the first revolving banquet hall in China.  The chairman enjoyed every dish and was in high spirits all along.  After the lunch, he stood up, shook hands with the staff, and expressed appreciation of their impeccable service.

 

Encouraged by Deng’s words, Jinling staff who had served him 19 years before has grown up and begun to shoulders greater responsibilities on different positions. Thanks to his support and vision, Jinling Hotel has become one of the leading hotels in China with world renown. Jinling people have succeeded in making Jinling a famous brand in China’s hospitality industry. (By Lu Dan)