Zhanjiang in South China's Guangdong province has made significant progress in poverty elimination and rural revitalization, thanks to the continuous efforts of local governments and the business community, who are leading residents toward a better quality of life.

As of the end of May, Zhanjiang's governments at all levels had invested 2.88 billion yuan ($425.27 million) toward lifting 218 villages out of poverty over the past few years. A total of 233,737 residents from 81,680 impoverished families have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for 99.8 percent of the poverty-stricken population in the city, according to the city government.

Zhanjiang held a media event from Sept 9 to 15 to demonstrate the city's achievements in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Nearly 200 reporters from around China visited sites including Fangpo village in Xuwen county, Huguangyan Scenic Area, Chikan Sanmin street and Techeng Island to record the city's achievements in economic, cultural and poverty relief areas.

Rural development

The city, one of the first in China to unveil an action plan to promote rural revitalization, is seeing big improvements in the rural environment and quality of life. Some villages have even received recognition from national authorities.

Zurong village in the county-level city Leizhou of Zhanjiang, with more than 300 years of history, was named a national-level rural tourism village.

The list was released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and National Development and Reform Commission in early September.

It is one of the top recognitions for Zhanjiang's efforts. In 2019, Techeng Island in Xiashan district of Zhanjiang appeared on the list.

Apart from local governments' efforts, such as upgrading infrastructure, creating jobs and strengthening training, local business people have also contributed in supporting Zhanjiang's rural development.

Villas built by entrepreneur Yang Song are made for local residents in Yangchili village, Zhanjiang. CHAI HUA/CHINA DAILY

Chen Yu, president of Modocom, has invested about 100 million yuan to construct industrial, cultural and tourism facilities in Zurong village.

He has established a food processing factory, a handicraft museum, a library, a hotel and a restaurant in the village.

The museum displays Leizhou traditional items such as Leizhou porcelain, which has history dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC), Leizhou stone dogs, and Leizhou-style wood carving.

Chen said that Zurong village is a place that needed a strong foundation to develop its rural tourism.

"It is too common among villages in Guangdong. There is no famous story, no well-known people, no astonishing natural landscape, no unique buildings and no rare resources," he said.

However, Chen didn't hesitate in investing in Zurong village, where he spent his childhood years.

"Bringing villagers knowledge about the outside world, changing their mindset about life and letting them realize what they can achieve are the most important things in promoting rural revitalization," he said."I have observed such changes."

Currently, about 300 villagers, including some from neighboring villages, work in Chen's factory, helping to reduce the problem of left-behind children.

Chen said he will help develop Leizhou into a handicraft making hub to promote the village's traditional culture.

Chen is not the only person from the world of business that is devoted to Zhanjiang's rural development.

Yang Song, chairman of construction company GSD Group, who was born in Yangchili village in county-level city Wuchuan, had invested some 100 million yuan to build 35 new villas in the village in 2017.

The villas were provided to all 35 families in the village for free in 2018.

Yang also built public facilities such as a cultural square, basketball court, drainage systems in the village to enhance living standards.

The village, about 3 kilometers to the new Zhanjiang airport, which is set to start operation in 2022, will take the opportunity to develop airport supporting services including accommodation and catering, Yang said.