Baoding Zhili Governor's Mansion Museum

2021 Annual Work Report and 2022 Work Plan

2021 marked the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and also served as the inaugural year for the 14th Five-Year Plan. Under the firm leadership of the Party Leadership Group of the Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, all staff members at the Zhili Governor's Office Museum united in purpose and worked collaboratively to diligently implement the various work plans and goals set at the beginning of the year. We fully leveraged the museum's core functions, resulting in significant progress across all areas of development and operations. Notably, the museum maintained complete safety throughout the year, with a total of 278,000 visitors welcomed over the course of the year. Below is a summary of our year-end achievements:

I. 2021 Work Overview

(1) Unite hearts and pool efforts to deeply advance Party-citizen engagement activities.

Under the firm leadership of the Party Leadership Group, we have fully harnessed the role of the Party organization as a robust fighting fortress and ensured that Communist Party members serve as exemplary pioneers. Closely aligned with the guidance and directives of the Party Leadership Group, we’ve steadfastly adhered to the guiding principle of strengthening Party building to drive business development, thereby smoothly advancing the Party-building initiatives within our museum branch. 1. We have consistently reinforced learning efforts by organizing multiple党史学习教育 sessions across the entire institution. These included focused study sessions on key documents and important speeches, collective viewing of relevant video materials, reflective writing exercises, and even participation in党史学习教育 quizzes. 2. We’ve diligently maintained the "Three Meetings and One Lesson" system: Branch Secretary Li Zhenlong delivered three Party lectures, while the branch held 7 general Party member meetings, 12 branch committee meetings, and 13 Party group meetings. Additionally, in April and October, Comrade Han Peng, the Discipline Inspection Secretary from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection stationed at the Culture and Tourism Bureau, visited our branch twice to deliver inspiring Party lessons.3. On June 30, we organized a special "July 1st" Party Day event, taking all party members to the Taihang Museum for an immersive experience. During this event, we revisited our Party membership oath and held a dedicated organizational life meeting centered around the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the mobilization conference on Party history study and education. To further enhance the learning atmosphere, we created eye-catching promotional display boards and established a dedicated study corner, fostering a vibrant environment where party members could draw strength and inspiration from our Party’s rich history. 4. We have comprehensively strengthened our institutional work style improvement efforts. First, we emphasized education to help leadership team members clarify their ideological understanding and boost their morale. Second, we focused on delivering tangible results, reinforcing a strong sense of responsibility and professional dedication among staff. Third, through effective leadership, we’ve achieved noticeable progress in enhancing our work style. Finally, we’ve prioritized ensuring smooth communication of directives and maintaining a decisive, action-oriented approach in all tasks. 5. We have intensified efforts in integrity building, establishing and refining comprehensive systems while clearly defining individual responsibilities to ensure rigorous implementation.6. We have actively encouraged Party members to take a leading role, sending cadres to community-level positions where they’ve assumed responsibility for critical tasks such as epidemic monitoring, registration, screening, early warning, and prevention at community entrances and exits—demonstrating firsthand how Party flags continue to fly proudly on the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic. 7. We’ve also made significant progress in Party member development, successfully welcoming Comrade Liu Bingfeng into the ranks of our Party organization.

(II) Business operations are steadily advancing.

1. Repair and maintenance work is nearly complete, with creative cultural product research and development now underway. We’ve finished the historical exhibition project for the office building, showcasing "Hebei Provincial Government in Baoding, 1949–1958," as well as the critical reinforcement project for the building’s structurally compromised sections. Additionally, we completed inspections of the western-side architecture and its fire safety systems, and successfully carried out roof waterproofing work on the northern office building, storefronts along Commerce Street, and select historic structures along the central axis—effectively eliminating potential safety hazards and safeguarding these valuable cultural relics. Despite challenges, we managed to meet our rent collection targets quite smoothly. Meanwhile, we facilitated the registration of cultural and tourism-related organizations on Hebei Youli Cultural & Creative Mutual Aid Platform, significantly boosting promotion efforts for the Governor-General’s Mansion. Collaborating with reputable cultural and creative development firms, we’ve launched a series of innovative products that not only highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Zhili Governor-General’s Mansion but also enhance the institution’s overall cultural influence and appeal.

2. Ensure thorough maintenance of the scenic area’s exhibits and carefully plan and manage the museum’s cultural heritage collections. Redesign and produce new display panels for outside the entrance, as well as friendly reminders and cautionary messages tailored to the scenic spot. Additionally, collaborate on creating public service advertisements, posters, inspection cards, and directional signage in support of initiatives such as epidemic prevention, city-civilization campaigns, security measures, the "100-Day Legal Awareness Campaign," and the International Museum Day on May 18. Install "one-meter distancing markers" to reinforce the first line of defense against the pandemic. Finally, complete the relocation of artifacts from the storage facility and meticulously document and photograph the museum’s collection items.

3. Strengthen the development of the explanation team and enhance the quality of service.

To strengthen our interpretation team and enhance the quality of our docents, this year our museum organized recruitment efforts for both new interpreters and volunteer docents. We also established comprehensive guidelines and regulations for interpreter duties, implemented stricter oversight of daily interpretation activities, and scheduled regular weekly training sessions to refine their professional skills. These initiatives have significantly improved the overall competence and public image of our interpretation team. Notably, one of our museum’s interpreters recently participated in an interpreter competition hosted by the Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism—and earned the prestigious title of "Top 10 Interpreters."

4. We have planned and launched community education and cultural activities, leveraging the museum’s role as a youth education hub. Our institution has always placed great emphasis on community education initiatives, ensuring their careful planning and effective implementation. Notably, we organized an "Artistic Performance and Art Exhibition Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party," which passionately highlighted the Party’s glorious history and the vibrant, fulfilling lives of the people from multiple perspectives. Additionally, we signed cooperation agreements with Baoding Vocational Technology College and the School of Geography and Tourism at Baoding University to establish practical training bases. Furthermore, we are actively planning events for the "International Museum Day" on May 18 and the "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" on June 9.

Actively responding to the demands of the times, we have diligently promoted red heritage education, conducting hundreds of specialized sessions. We’ve collaborated with publications such as *Baoding Daily*, *Baoding Evening News*, and *Lianchi Weekly* to ensure comprehensive publicity and reporting for our museum. Additionally, leveraging TikTok, we launched 40 episodes of short promotional videos for the Governor-General’s Residence in the livestream series titled "Directly Under the Governor-General’s Office Live Room."

5. Strengthening and Implementing Emergency Safety Management Practices As a nationally designated key cultural heritage site, the Zhili Governor's Office has consistently adhered to the principle of "safety first, prevention prioritized," ensuring robust security measures for the museum. First, we’ve reinforced ideological education, instilling in every emergency safety staff member a spirit of dedication, professionalism, and selfless commitment—especially emphasizing that the interests of the Governor’s Office always come first, fostering a mindset of proactive readiness and unwavering determination to succeed in times of crisis. Second, we’ve refined our institutional frameworks and responsibilities, updating all relevant emergency response plans to ensure comprehensive systems are in place. Simultaneously, we’ve focused equally on both hardware and software enhancements to bolster overall safety infrastructure. Third, we conduct regular safety training sessions, including quarterly fire drills and annual fire safety lectures, to raise awareness and proficiency in using firefighting equipment. These initiatives not only enhance staff competence but also cultivate a strong culture of safety throughout the organization, ensuring zero accidents throughout the year. Fourth, we’ve intensified patrol supervision by increasing security patrols, with officers checking in every two hours to maintain full coverage and real-time monitoring of the entire scenic area. Additionally, we’ve collaborated closely with local neighborhood offices and police stations to develop joint prevention and control strategies, jointly issuing guidelines and implementing coordinated registration procedures for visitors. At the entrance of the scenic area, we rigorously enforce health protocols, including mandatory QR code scanning, reservation requirements, and temperature checks, safeguarding public safety even during the pandemic. Fifth, we’ve established a systematic approach to identifying and addressing potential safety hazards. Weekly safety hazard assessments are conducted, complemented by monthly safety inspections led by the deputy director and quarterly reviews overseen by the director. This proactive strategy ensures that any risks are identified and mitigated before they escalate into serious issues. Sixth, we regularly maintain and upgrade fire safety equipment to guarantee optimal functionality and reliability, thereby reinforcing the museum’s overall fire protection capabilities. Seventh, we’ve enhanced our surveillance systems by scheduling routine maintenance for existing cameras across the site and installing additional cameras in strategic locations, particularly behind the administrative office building. This ensures seamless, 24/7 monitoring coverage without blind spots, providing continuous oversight of all museum areas. Eighth, we remain fully prepared to meet rigorous inspection standards set by higher-level authorities. To date, we’ve successfully welcomed inspections from the Provincial Fifth and Seventh Supervision Teams, the Provincial Fire Department, as well as representatives from the Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, CPPCC, and various other departments—demonstrating flawless compliance with all safety and fire safety regulations.

6. Steadily advance the work of building a civilized city. In line with our city’s efforts to become a civilized city, our museum has aligned itself with the evaluation criteria for designated areas by enhancing public-service advertising and display within the scenic site. We’ve also deployed “civilized conduct guides” to provide visitor assistance, maintain order, verify tickets, offer guided tours, and promote civic awareness. As a result, the Governor-General’s Residence has successfully avoided any point deductions in the city’s ongoing campaign to achieve civilization status.

7. We hosted events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. On June 28, our museum joined forces with the Lianchi District Artists Association to present the "Exhibition of Calligraphy and Painting Works Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China," featuring themes centered around this milestone. Additionally, we collaborated with the Municipal Mass Art Museum to stage a cultural performance at the site platform of the former Governor's Residence on Donglu Mufu Courtyard.

(III) Actively Implement Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures

The epidemic is a command; prevention and control are our responsibility. In 2021, our museum placed great emphasis on epidemic prevention efforts, meticulously planning and implementing measures in line with directives and requirements from higher authorities, ensuring that all operations proceeded smoothly and efficiently. As of today, no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 have been detected at the Zhili Governor's Office Museum, allowing the museum and its scenic area to maintain regular fee-based operations throughout the year. Meanwhile, epidemic prevention and control remain robust and thorough, safety production remains stable overall, and tourism services continue to be delivered in a well-organized and orderly manner.

1. This year, in accordance with the relevant guidelines outlined in provincial and municipal epidemic prevention documents, our museum has implemented strict control measures for visitors entering the premises and conducted thorough health screenings. We have established a leading group dedicated to epidemic prevention and control, developed emergency response plans and comprehensive prevention strategies, and carry out regular inspections to ensure that all preventive measures are effectively put into practice throughout the scenic area. Additionally, we rigorously enforce the leadership on-duty system and maintain a 24-hour security monitoring schedule, guaranteeing the smooth operation of the景区.

2. Increase financial investment and strengthen material support. Over the past year, our museum has rigorously ensured the supply of pandemic prevention materials, including ample availability of masks, disinfectants, alcohol, and forehead thermometers, providing comprehensive protection for all frontline staff against COVID-19 and safeguarding their health.

3. Ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of the scenic area. Assign one dedicated staff member to conduct scheduled disinfection sessions—twice daily, in the morning and afternoon—covering open areas, the visitor service center, service facilities and equipment, and office buildings. Additionally, special areas such as the mother-and-baby room and restrooms will undergo alcohol-based disinfection to maintain a safe and secure environment for visitors.

4. Strictly enforce preventive measures for visitors entering the museum, including mandatory mask-wearing, temperature checks, and health code verification. Simultaneously, carefully manage visitor numbers by implementing a one-person-one-code reservation system for entry. The maximum daily capacity will not exceed 9,600 people, maintained firmly within 75% of the venue’s maximum visitor limit.

5. Organized and conducted emergency response drills for epidemic prevention and control, ensuring that all personnel in key positions are fully proficient in the emergency procedures, thereby enhancing the museum's ability to effectively manage and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks. Additionally, we increased the frequency of security patrols within the museum and strengthened controls over visitors and external personnel.

6. Actively responding to the call in the document urging frontline, community-based epidemic prevention efforts, we organized all staff and employees to deploy to two communities—Lao Diao Opera Troupe and Dormitory Area 2 of the Pharmaceutical Factory—to assist and collaborate with local authorities in carrying out critical防疫 tasks such as "personnel registration, entry/exit checks, temperature screening, and disinfection measures," thereby fully demonstrating our role as pioneers and role models.

(4) Enhance service quality and improve service facilities.

Our museum offers public-benefit services, providing free admission to teachers, military personnel, veterans, families of martyrs, retired and retiring military officers, Yan Zhao Talent Card holders, individuals who have earned gold or silver awards for voluntary blood donation, firefighters and rescue workers, medical staff, as well as visitors aged 18 and under or over 70. College students and those aged between 60 and 69 receive a 50% discount. On the special "May 18 International Museum Day" event day, museum tickets will be available at half price.

(5) Completed the development work on integrating the scenic area’s turnstile system with the Meituan platform for ticket purchases. Our museum proactively engaged in multiple rounds of communication with relevant departments of the Finance Bureau and, with their support, successfully coordinated the online ticketing system and payment processing channels with the finance department. This ensures timely remittance of ticket revenue to the national treasury, while also enabling visitors to enjoy convenient electronic payments and online ticketing options—making it even easier for tourists to travel without carrying cash.

(6) Ensuring salaries, maintaining operations, and safeguarding safety. As a scenic-site museum focusing on historical relics—distinct from other public-benefit museums—the Zhili Governor's Mansion Museum strictly adheres to the principle of separating revenue and expenditure: ticket sales are remitted directly to the government treasury and then redistributed proportionally back to the museum. As of December 24, the museum has welcomed 278,000 visitors, including 140,000 ticketed guests, generating an economic income of 3.82 million yuan. Compared to 2019, visitor numbers have dropped by 62%, while revenue has declined by 64%. Currently, the museum relies on 22 self-funded staff members whose salaries are now at risk due to the sharp decline in income. This has left employees feeling increasingly pessimistic about the future, creating significant instability within the workforce. To address this, our museum has proactively intensified employee training programs, boosted morale, and implemented cost-saving measures to cut unnecessary expenses. At the same time, we’ve been actively seeking external funding sources to ensure timely salary payments. By December 17, we had successfully disbursed both the 2019 and 2020 Spiritual Civilization Awards and Performance Bonuses for our self-funded staff, as well as fully paid out the 2021 salaries. These efforts have not only stabilized employee confidence but also kept the museum running smoothly.

II. 2022 Work Plan

1. Continue to effectively manage the exhibition and visitor services, with plans to complete the restoration displays of the east and west side rooms in the San Tang Courtyard—featuring the "Governor and Staff Restoration Exhibition"—as well as the design and setup work for the "Zeng Guofan in Zhili" exhibit at the Magistrate's Residence Courtyard.

2. Organize community education and outreach activities, creating engaging multimedia short videos to share the museum’s culture and knowledge. Leveraging new media channels and the official WeChat public platform, we’ll promptly promote the museum’s exhibitions, collection highlights, and event updates—further enhancing the Governor's Residence Museum’s influence and reputation.

3. Continue organizing the recruitment of tour guides and strengthen the management of the guide team; update the interpretation content to consistently enhance service quality.

4. In alignment with the city's overall development strategy and unified requirements, effectively manage the leasing and rent collection of surrounding storefronts, while strengthening protection efforts for the Governor's Residence’s intellectual property and intangible assets.

6. Based on the fund balance, carry out daily monitoring, fire and lightning protection, and routine maintenance of the Zhonglu ancient architectural structures to the best of our ability.

7. Strengthen efforts to deepen the cultural significance of the Zhili Governor's Office and develop innovative cultural products and related projects.

8. Completed the fire safety renovation project at the Zhili Governor's Mansion Museum. The dedicated funding has now been secured, and in 2022, an open tender was conducted as required, followed by construction and other related steps.

In 2021, while our museum achieved certain accomplishments in various areas of work, we also encountered some challenges and shortcomings. In 2022, we will continue to strive harder, maintaining regular epidemic prevention and control measures, while boldly forging ahead to contribute meaningfully to the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government’s vision of building a city that offers high-quality living and is renowned as a "City of Museums."