Profile: Yu Zhengsheng: A frank, devoted friend (5)

SEEKING TRUTH FOR THE MASSES

Yu, scholarly and refined in his manner of speech and behavior, is a leader in the scholarly style. His ancestral home is Shaoxing, in east China's Zhejiang Province. He was born in 1945 in Yan'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a sacred place for the Chinese revolution. After graduating from the Harbin Military Engineering Institute, he did technical work for 16 years.

Yu successively assumed the office of head of the China Foundation for Disabled Persons, mayor of Yantai City, mayor and Party secretary of Qingdao City, construction minister, Hubei provincial Party secretary, and Shanghai Party secretary. In 2002, he was elected a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and had served two five-year terms since then.

"Do more practical things and solve more problems. I have no aspirations for great things. I just wish to be worthy of the country and people." This is Yu's political creed. Look for truth, be pragmatic and do solid work. These principles are what impress people most about Yu, and this is exactly how the CPPCC fulfills its function -- by digging deep during investigations, combining theory with practice, and maintaining extensive links with the masses.

Yu is used to the style of conducting investigations "with light luggage and few attendants." Yu usually speaks without notes. During investigations, he prefers to ask questions rather than listen to reports. He tells the petition department and his secretary to show him any letters of substantial content or those that keenly reflect problems.

In the eyes of the public, Yu does not have the air of an official. His car license plate number was selected randomly, in contrary to the common practice of adopting auspicious numbers. When going out, he tells the accompanying security vehicle to follow him, so as not to disturb people by clearing the way in front. When walking on the road, he often stops to chat with sanitation workers or tourists. He is "Old Yu" in the minds of the common people. But to many officials, he is stern and asks probing follow-up questions when anything crops up.

Yu is fond of reading. Hanging around in bookstores and bookstalls is a hobby when he can snatch a moment of leisure amidst his busy work. Yu, a veteran netizen, follows the news on the Internet every day.

Yu's parents were senior ministerial-level officials after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Yu's wife, Zhang Zhikai, is retired. The couple have a son. After work, Yu sometimes goes to the market to buy food. He cooks dishes when he has time. He is a man of north China by birth, but he is passionate about southern food.