As China advances towards greater modernization, rural revitalization remains high on the national agenda, with a strong focus on developing prosperous and distinctive rural industries.
Across the country, regions are tapping into their unique strengths to develop signature industries, raise farmers' incomes, and build vibrant and livable rural communities.
In Nangou Village, Yan'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, apple orchards are heavy with fruits as farmers busily prepare for the harvest season.
The apple planting area in Yan'an City has reached 3.3 million mu (about 220,000 hectares). The city has promoted green cultivation techniques and extended its industrial chain through deep processing.
At present, the apple industry supports over one million jobs and generates a total industrial output value exceeding 60 billion yuan (about 8.3 billion U.S. dollars).
"Our village is vigorously developing apple farming -- the yields are high, the quality is good, and the apples sell fast. I have more than 10 mu (about 0.667 hectare) of orchard. If things keep going like this, life will get better and better," said Hu Fuyi, a local in Nangou Village.
As of the end of June, China had 86,000 registered green, organic, specialty and geographical indication (GI) agricultural products. These industries have become powerful engines driving comprehensive rural revitalization.
In Zhenxing Village, Wuchang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, more than 13,000 mu (about 866.67 hectares) of paddy rice crops are entering the annual harvest season.
Smart agricultural machinery is operating efficiently, and the brand value of "Wuchang Rice" has surpassed 71 billion yuan (about 9.8 billion U.S. dollars).
"The paddy rice has grown even better this year and I am expected to earn over 30,000 yuan (4,213 U.S. dollars) more than last year. I've always wanted to buy a new car, and I can finally make it by the end of this year. I'm very happy about it," said a villager named Wang Wenxiao.
Rural tourism has also flourished this year. In the first six-months alone, the national rural tourism revenue rose 35 percent year-on-year.
In Pahataikeli Township, Kashgar City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, tourists flocked in during public holidays.
This year, the township built new camping bases and cultural parks, attracting record numbers of visitors.
So far, Xinjiang has had 60 villages rated as national-level beautiful leisure villages of China, and its leisure agriculture sector received about 44.66 million visits in the first six months of this year.
"Next, we'll focus on in-depth integration of agriculture, culture and tourism, and industrial upgrade, and strive to promote in-depth combination of homestay operation, farming, and development of cultural and creative industries, in striving to build a new model of rural revitalization driven by cultural and tourism development," said Piercardi Eskar, deputy head of Pahataikeli Township.
In southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, polices supporting entrepreneurship are helping young people return home to start up businesses.
In Shibuqi Village, Ngari Prefecture, 23-year-old Droma has chosen to return home after graduating from university.
Leveraging the region's rich agricultural and pastoral resources, the village is developing eco-tourism, and Droma's renovated homestay will soon open to guests next month.
"Now our village has got access to highways leading to the outside world and also access to 5G networks, and has been covered by express delivery services. With such changes, I've come back to the hometown and use what I've learned to help develop our industries and tourism. Life here is getting better and more hopeful," said Droma.
Vibrant rural industries power China's countryside revitalization
