The Kaizhou InquirerThe Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economics22 February 4473Government-owned shipyard Lanshui accepting bids to build Indrala's future naval fleetMinistry of Defence hoping to utilize the skills of Indrala's massive commercial shipbuilding industry"Spring Mist Over Tan Hua Palace" one of the prized pieces at the exhibitKAIZHOU, Jiaozhi Province: The government-owned Lanshui Shipyard is seeking private defence contractors and shipbuilders to partner with in developing Indrala's future naval fleet, according to Lanshui CEO Fu Yuanhui.
Indrala's commercial shipbuilding industry is one of the world's largest, with domestic shipyard orders totalling nearly twenty-million gross tons. To that end, the Ministry of Defence and Lanshui are hoping to tap into the vast knowledge and experience of the private commercial industry in developing future warships. Primarily, Lanshui is said to be in discussions with the country's three largest private shipbuilders, Xiandai Heavy Industries, TQ Heavy Industry and Construction, and Qingyi Group.
The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that they are prepared to utilize funding for any development projects through the IAFI Modernization Program to fulfil the government's long-term ambition of becoming a blue-water navy once again.
22 February 4473Chief Minister Wei vows to reduce agricultural regulationDespite legislative failures, Wei promised farmers that "Tian'an overreach" will come to an endChief Minister Wei (far right) speaks to a group of farmers in Min ProvinceRural Min Province: Despite legislative setbacks, the Chief Minister vowed to continue to fight "for farmers' rights," against a "Tian'an-centred" Grand Assembly. Speaking to farmers across Min Province today, the Chief Minister attacked the opposition parties for continually voting against his agricultural deregulation legislation.
"Frankly, the opposition is very weak, and they don't give a damn about you," said the Chief Minister. "The Pragmatists are the party of obstruction, having not once proposed a single piece of legislation. The only thing they're known for is trying to sue me for speaking with you, the working people of this nation, and yet they still haven't left Tian'an to hear your concerns. Meanwhile, the SDP pretends to care about you, but they spend all their time in the boardrooms of Kaizhou."
"We're going to reduce the red tape," the Chief Minister said to applause. "We're going to make sure that you can grow our food without having to go through pages of Tian'an lawyer nonsense."
The Chief Minister is remarkably popular among farmers, labourers and members of the working-class due to his strong organized labour ties and aggressive pursuit of economic growth. His populist and anti-establishment message has also gained traction widely across these sorts of demographics. In sum, Wei Jianxing's voter coalition is more decidedly rural than the Lotus Party's support base has ever traditionally been.
Inspecting a rice farm south of Mudanwan, farmers thanked the Chief Minister for his resolute committment to lowering the minimum wage. Prior to the passage of
LP-324, farmers across the nation were required to pay employees, and even their own children a wage at a level which could support a family of four. Now, with lower wages, farmers in this region claim that they have been able to hire more workers while increasing their productivity.
"Thank you sir, thanks to you my family can get by," 56-year-old rice farmer Mr. Fang cried out while emotionally embracing the Chief Minister. "No, no, it's thanks to you! It's your hard work that supports your family, not me," The Chief Minister replied. "Our government is about ensuring that the dignity of work is finally respected; not just the work done by highly-educated urban elites, but the work that you do which keeps our country fed."
Before leaving the village, the Chief Minister asked the people for their support in the 4475 election. "There is a lot at stake in this election," said Wei Jianxing. "We can't let Tian'an be taken over by the elitist and ineffectual Pragmatists, nor the incompetent Social Democrats. We need to keep Tian'an working for you!"
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