Since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited an exhibition on the life of Zhang Jian during his visit to Jiangsu, the Chinese industrialist from the early 20th century has been brought to national attention again, featured as the topic in a recent forum in Beijing.

Chinese officials took turns to speak at the “Significance of Zhang Jian’s Spirit” 2020 Annual Forum held in Beijing on Sunday, demanding entrepreneurs to follow Zhang’s footstep by dedicating themselves to saving the country through industry. An observer said the move serves to warn private corporations not to evade regulation.

Zhang Jian, born in east China’s Nantong, was considered a pioneer of China’s modern industrialization. He set up factories for fabric, oil and flour, before turning his efforts to education, founding the Tongzhou Normal College in 1902 and the Shanghai Ocean University in 1912.

During his trip last month, Xi praised Zhang for being “a role model of Chinese entrepreneurs.”

Speaking at the event on Sunday, Hao Mingjin, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said the spirit of Zhang Xian is also that of patriotism.

He urged entrepreneurs in the new age to compete in becoming a model of patriotism and “contribute to the comprehensive building of a modern Socialist country.” Hao is one of the Chinese officials recently sanctioned by the U.S.

Pan Yue, an official from the United Front Work Department, called Zhang an inspiration in terms of instilling patriotism. Chinese entrepreneurs should recognize the need to align with the country, to breathe together, to share weal and woe together, said Pan. “Corporations need to take roots in the land of the mother country,” he added.

Wary of the growing scale and power of private corporations, Chinese government has recently tightened its grip on the country’s large tech companies, including drafting new antitrust rules, halting Alipay’s IPO and fining Alibaba Group and Tencent for unapproved acquisitions.

In a recent meeting, the Politburo stated the need to strengthen anti-monopoly efforts and rein in disorderly capital expansion.

Wang Jun, chief economist at Zhongyuan Bank, said Beijing is sending strong signals, demanding corporations to promote technological innovation and international circulation in alignment with the state’s dual circulation economic strategy, while warning them not to avoid regulation at the same time.

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