Strong Foundation Demonstration | The Second Party Branch of the Shandong Geological Exploration Institute

The Second Party Branch of the Shandong Institute comprises Party members from four frontline production and business units: the Geological Survey Division, the Mineral Exploration Division, the Surveying and Mapping Information Division, and the Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Division. Currently, it has 25 official Party members, 2 active candidates for Party membership, and 3 applicants; among them, 11 hold master’s degrees, 18 hold bachelor’s degrees, and 1 holds an associate degree. With an average age of 35, the branch is a young, dynamic, and highly qualified contingent of Party members.

The Party branch has comprehensively implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, taking the Party’s political development as its overarching principle. Guided by the goal of “one branch, one stronghold; one Party member, one banner,” and adhering to the working approach of “focusing on Party building around central tasks and using strong Party building to drive development,” the branch has continuously promoted the close integration of Party building with production and operations. It has earnestly carried out initiatives such as establishing model Party branches, cultivating the Party‑building brand “Leading with Party Building, Achieving Success in Geological Exploration and Mineral Prospecting,” setting up Party member demonstration posts, and building standardized construction sites. Emphasizing the cultivation of a fine work style characterized by “strict standards, pragmatic responsibility, pioneering innovation, and unity and collaboration,” the branch has striven to enhance its political leadership, capacity to drive development, ability to promote reform and innovation, and strength to unite and provide support. By fully leveraging the role of the Party branch as a fighting fortress and that of Party members as pioneers and models, it has provided a robust organizational guarantee for the successful completion of all assigned tasks.

From 2015 to 2022, the Party branch was repeatedly honored with titles such as “Advanced Grassroots Party Organization” by the China National Bureau of Coal Geology, as well as “Advanced Grassroots Party Organization,” “Advanced Grassroots Party Branch,” and “Model Party Branch” at the bureau (group) level; it also received “Advanced Grassroots Party Organization” and “Strong Party Branch” awards from the Shandong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, and was recognized as an “Advanced Party Branch” by the Shandong Institute. As a result, it has become a vibrant banner and a distinguished calling card in grassroots Party-building work.

The Second Party Branch places political development at the forefront, rigorously demanding that all party members firmly establish the “Four Consciousnesses,” steadfastly uphold the “Four Confidences,” and resolutely safeguard the “Two Upholds,” striving to build a contingent of party members who are politically strong, of fine conduct, and achieve outstanding results. On the one hand, we must steadfastly arm ourselves with theory. All Party members have thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, integrated political theory study into their daily work, carried out various thematic education activities in a solid and effective manner, and continuously strengthened their Party spirit and enhanced their political competence. On the other hand, we will rigorously implement the accountability system for Party building. The branch secretary signed the “Party Building Work Target Responsibility Agreement” with the institute’s Party Committee, earnestly fulfilling the responsibilities of the primary person in charge of party building and aligning party‑building efforts closely with production and operational tasks. The branch rigorously implements the “Three Meetings and One Class” system and other organizational‑life mechanisms, fully adheres to the “Work Standards for Grassroots Party Branches” issued by the bureau’s Party Committee and the various requirements of the Party‑Building Quality‑Improvement Year, and ensures the standardized use of the “Party Branch Work Manual.” In response to developments in production, technology, and business operations, the branch promptly organizes study sessions and discussions, thereby addressing numerous practical issues in both production and daily life while strengthening theoretical learning.

The branch’s activities are underpinned by project‑based work, guided by industry standards, and supported by scientific management. Party building is consistently integrated into the core business of production and operations, with a steadfast commitment to serving and supporting operational goals without deviation, thereby embedding Party work into every stage of production and management. On one hand, the branch focuses on refining and optimizing its core business of mineral exploration, centering on provincial and municipal fiscal projects, and continuing to uphold its role as the “main force in mineral exploration.” On the other hand, it continuously expands both the scope and depth of its work in hydrogeology, environmental geology, and related fields, actively responding to the national call to prioritize ecological conservation—“lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”—and gradually transforming and upgrading toward an eco‑geological orientation.

First, Party building provides leadership, stays focused on the central tasks, and leverages our strengths. The Party branch has leveraged Party building to drive production and operations, capitalizing on its core expertise in geological exploration. With party members serving as the backbone, it established specialized technical teams for mineral surveying, mineral exploration, geophysical prospecting, and surveying. On the front lines of work, these party members have fully embodied the team‑building principles of “five highs” and “four outputs,” actively engaging in frontline production and business activities and setting an exemplary standard. The branch has undertaken numerous medium‑ and large‑scale projects funded by both central and local governments, including surveys, evaluations, general explorations, and detailed investigations of gold and iron deposits. As a result, it has discovered a number of major and medium‑sized iron ore deposits, such as the Lanling Iron Mine, the Qihe Rich Iron Ore Deposit, the Menglong Iron Mine in Yunnan, and the Baishiling Lead–Zinc Mine in Anqiu. The branch has also been honored with awards including China’s Top Ten Geological Exploration Achievements, as well as accolades from the China National Coal Industry Association, the China National Coal Administration, the China National Chemical Industry Administration, and Shandong Province’s Department of Natural Resources. These achievements have received high attention from leaders at all levels and have made outstanding contributions to consolidating and strengthening the Shandong Institute’s geological exploration business segment.

Second, the Party flag flies at construction sites, and Party-building work is showcased on the front lines. The Party branch has actively established “Model Posts for Party Members” and “Pioneer Posts for Party Members,” organized Party members to jointly sign the “Public Commitment Letter of Party Members,” and called on them to love their jobs, dedicate themselves to their duties, bravely shoulder heavy responsibilities, strive for excellence, and fully play their role as models and leaders. By uniting and guiding departmental staff to rally closely around the Party organization, they have contributed to production and overcome difficulties. From 2013 to the present, the branch has carried out a nine-year continuous exploration project in the national-level “Qihu–Yucheng Iron-Rich Ore Integrated Exploration Area in Shandong,” successfully discovering one medium-sized iron‑rich ore deposit and earning high praise from leaders at the ministerial and provincial levels. Furthermore, the branch has successfully implemented the Shandong provincial “Seeing Through Shandong” project for two consecutive years, making significant contributions to enriching the national geological database and elevating the level of digital empowerment in geological work. The branch’s subordinate institutes have also been repeatedly recognized with the “Youth Civilization Unit” honor for their outstanding achievements; moreover, the Qihu iron‑ore exploration project has been awarded the “Red Flag Team for Safe Production” title by the China National Bureau of Geology on multiple occasions.

Integrate “Pioneering and Innovation” to Enhance Reform and Innovation Capabilities.

The Second Party Branch has earnestly implemented the “Party Member Innovation Project,” using initiatives such as model Party member posts as platforms to effectively stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of both Party members and staff. First, innovate the model of Party building. The Party branch has overcome the practical challenges posed by the fact that most members work year-round on the front lines of field operations, resulting in dispersed personnel and heavy workloads. By making full use of fragmented time and leveraging online platforms, it has adopted a multi‑pronged approach to pioneer an innovative “Internet Plus Party Building” model. Through DingTalk groups, the branch has brought itself online and kept its members connected, while capitalizing on learning resources such as “Lighthouse – Online Party Building” and “Study China.” In doing so, it has established and refined a scientific, robust network of grassroots Party organizations, achieving full coverage of both Party organization and Party work. Second, emphasize innovative management practices. The Party branch has vigorously promoted the “Learning‑Oriented Party Branch, Knowledge‑Driven Members” initiative, encouraging members to participate in various knowledge and skills competitions to advance technological problem‑solving and innovation. Adopting approaches such as “going out to observe” and “inviting experts to teach,” the branch has organized skill‑training sessions and intensive on‑the‑job drills through lectures, video presentations, and workshops, fostering learning through application and driving improvement through learning. Adhering to the principle of addressing specific gaps with targeted supplementation, this effort has effectively enhanced members’ technical expertise and practical work capabilities. In 2022, the branch successfully established two academy‑level science and technology innovation teams, which have played a tangible role in leveraging scientific and technological innovation to drive production and development.

Third, we will launch initiatives to establish standardized construction sites. The Qihe Fuxie Mine Exploration Project, spearheaded by Party members of the branch, has, while implementing the “Six Standards and One Initiative,” focused on standardizing project management and striving to establish a regional benchmark brand. It has been repeatedly recognized by the China National Chemical Corporation as a “Standardized Construction Site.” Party members and members of the branch committee have been awarded numerous honors, including “Advanced Worker,” “Outstanding Communist Party Member,” “Outstanding Party Affairs Worker,” and “Young Skilled Professional,” sparking a vigorous culture of emulation, learning, assistance, and surpassing, thereby providing robust organizational support for production and operations.

The Party branch’s leadership team is well‑structured and operates in full compliance with established standards; the members of the branch committee have clearly defined roles and responsibilities, work in close coordination, and uphold the principle of dual responsibility for each position. The branch has continuously refined its organizational framework, established party subgroups, and steadily advanced the implementation of all its tasks and initiatives. First, implement care and support in organizational life. Regular heart-to-heart talks are held to gain a thorough understanding of each colleague’s family circumstances and other relevant needs, with proactive efforts made to address their concerns and resolve difficulties. Close attention is paid to the daily living conditions of employees working on field projects, with essential amenities such as induction cookers, refrigerators, fans, and heat‑relief medications provided to ensure comprehensive logistical support for frontline workers. Second, establish harmonious and amicable relationships. We must safeguard unity as we would guard our eyes, fully uphold a democratic style of work, and ensure that everyone deliberates matters together and shares responsibility for challenges. We should maintain close collaboration across divisions, emphasize approaches such as leveraging fieldwork projects to foster mutual exchange, and strengthen the bonds of camaraderie among comrades. Third, we will launch distinctive “Party Building Plus” themed activities. The branch consistently integrates Party‑building activities with the national and social context, policy directives, and the guiding principles of higher authorities, while vigorously promoting distinctive themed Party‑day events such as “Party Building + Production,” “Party Building + Professionalism,” and “Party Building + Innovation.” It has organized a series of initiatives, including revolutionary tradition education, online tributes to martyrs, World Earth Day observances, raising the Party flag at construction sites, establishing Party‑building outposts on the front lines, visiting project sites, delivering short Party lessons at worksites, marking Surveying and Mapping Law Promotion Day, bringing geological science outreach into schools, hosting knowledge competitions, screening patriotic films, singing songs celebrating the motherland, holding political birthday celebrations for Party members, and conducting cautionary education. These efforts have not only ensured the political integrity and seriousness of organizational life and strengthened the branch’s political functions, but have also significantly enhanced the appeal of such activities, thereby achieving the goals of educating Party members and cultivating their Party spirit. Fourth, we will earnestly strengthen efforts to promote integrity and clean governance. The branch integrates integrity-building into all its work, resolutely implements the Regulations on Party Members’ Integrity and Self-discipline, improves management systems, and strengthens day-to-day oversight and supervision. It has organized numerous study sessions for branch members on Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline, and, through viewing cautionary case studies and workplace integrity‑education videos, has enhanced the political awareness of Party members and bolstered their ability to resist corruption and prevent degeneration.