Once-impoverished villagers living in remote areas of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province are enjoying improved livelihoods and higher incomes, thanks to the country's poverty alleviation relocation program.
Yuexi County in Liangshan prefecture, was one of the last 52 counties removed from the poverty list in the country. Before the Spring Festival in 2020, over 6,000 people of the Yi ethnic group from 38 villages in Yuexi County were relocated from high-altitude mountainous areas to the Gratitude Community in the county seat as part of the poverty alleviation relocation programs. The relocation program has provided the residents with better living conditions and more job opportunities.
Mose Wujiamu, secretary of the community, along with the community staff members, was going door to door to help the residents calculate their annual income, to ensure that no one falls back into poverty.
According to Wujiamu, the community manages the households using a color-coding system based on their income levels, with red, yellow, blue and green cards. Households with red cards are those at the highest risk of returning to poverty and are prioritized for assistance.
"If annual income is less than 10,000 yuan (around 1.364 U.S. dollars), the household is a red card holder and needs special attention," she explained.
To help the community's over 6,000 residents maintain stable incomes, Mose Wujiamu actively provides job recommendations for them.
"More than 700 people will go to Ningbo after the traditional New Year of Yi ethnic group. Now, there are available positions in electronics factories and construction sites. Employment opportunities are currently being coordinated," said Shi Qiang, director of the Yuexi County's employment bureau.
The region has been making efforts to increase income for those who have escaped poverty, such as promoting employment. In a new round of cooperation between eastern and western regions, Ningbo, in east China's Zhejiang Province, has been paired up to assist Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, by offering over 6,000 job opportunities to Yuexi County every year.
Encouraged by the increased income, more and more relocated people have changed their mindset. Over 2,600 people in the community have opted to become migrant workers and are now employed outside their hometown. Ethnic Yi women, most of whom used to stay at home all year round, are offered training and jobs, allowing them to increase their incomes and improve their lives.
One such example is Xiatiexier, a mother of three with a leg disability. Inspired by community workers, she participated in a training course on Yi embroidery, one of the most ancient traditional handicrafts, and now is engaged in the local embroidery industry.
"The feeling is just too overwhelming. I'm so grateful to them the community cadres. Before, I was too self-deprecating. But now, I'm a completely different person," she said.
Over the years, the per capita income of Yi people in the community has been increasing year by year, reaching over 13,000 yuan (around 1,773 U.S. dollars) in 2024.
Poverty-alleviation relocation offers new life in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
A landmark visa-free arrangement for British passport holders to enter China officially came into force on Tuesday, coinciding with the start of the Year of the Horse, with many believing the move will inspire more UK travelers to come and explore the wonders of China.
As China celebrates its Spring Festival, the most important annual holiday marking the Chinese New Year, British visitors arriving in Beijing on Monday were given a special surprise as they were invited to take part in a lucky draw, with some touristy prizes on offer.
Travelers were encouraged to randomly pick an envelope, the contents of which included a range of gift packages such as tickets to the famous Great Wall or Peking Opera performances, as well as other curated holiday routes, giving international visitors an instant invitation to join in with China's festive celebrations.
"I like how everyone is really friendly. And the food is really great. And I love history, so I'm going to the Forbidden City," said Amy, one of the newly-arrived tourists.
Meanwhile, Kaelan Meehan, another British tourist, revealed he has a packed schedule ahead in the coming days. He said he will be heading to the far northeastern city of Qiqihar to visit his wife's family, before heading nearly 3,000 kilometers south to take in the stunning scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed site of Zhangjiajie in central China's Hunan, which is known for inspiring the blockbuster 'Avatar' movie series.
"We are going to Qiqihar, which is where the family is, spending a few days there. And then going to Zhangjiajie to do some sightseeing. And then Beijing to see the Summer Palace, which we were planning on, which is good, and then the Great Wall," said Meehan.
The warm welcome for these arrivals in Beijing comes alongside new travel facilitation measures which should allow more UK travelers to experience China.
China's Foreign Ministry announced that starting Tuesday, ordinary passport holders from Britain will be eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The policy will remain in effect until the end of this year.
It came following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's four-day official visit to China in January, which marked the first trip by a UK prime minister to the country in eight years, and saw the two sides pledging to strengthen bilateral ties.
For many British travelers, the visa-free announcement brings greater convenience when planning future trips, while officials are also optimistic the move will spur greater enthusiasm for travel.
"I think it's really exciting. I think a lot of people might [find it] daunting thinking about going through a whole visa process just to like travel to a different country. So being able to travel, I think, for 30 days without a visa will be really enticing for people from the UK to want to go and visit China for the first time," said Leah, a tourist who was set to depart from London.
"I believe this visa-free policy will greatly encourage more British people to visit China for tourism, business, and study, boosting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening the foundation of our bilateral ties," said Zhang Li, director of the China National Tourist Office in London.
China has been expanding its visa-waiver policies in recent years to facilitate greater travel convenience, boost international tourism and promote people-to-people exchanges, with the UK and Canada now being added to the growing list of countries eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry.
Beijing welcomes British tourists as visa-free agreement takes effect
Beijing welcomes British tourists as visa-free agreement takes effect
