China's 'richest village' embraces new direction
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E-mail CNTV, August 23, 2012
Dubbed the "richest village" in China, Huaxi village in Jiangsu Province has become a legend for its economic growth and high living standards. Fifty years after being established, the village is now moving in a new direction but with the same morale and spirit.
This two-storey, five hundred square meters home does not belong to a middle class family from China's largest cities. Instead, an ordinary family from Huaxi village is its proud owners. 64 years old villager Ge Xiu Fang has lived in Huaxi village with her children since the 90's. This house was granted to the family several years ago as part of a social welfare program. The family purchased the home at a low price because they were shareholders of Huaxi village.
Ge Xiufang, Huaxi villager, said, "Seniors like me are taken care of by the village. We are covered by the village's own healthcare and social security system.
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Dubbed the "richest village" in China, Huaxi village in Jiangsu Province has become a legend for its economic growth and high living standards. Fifty years after being established, the village is now moving in a new direction but with the same morale and spirit. |
Established fifty years ago, the village used to be a poor farming community. Wu Renbao, the former secretary of Huaxi's party committee, headed the village for nearly fifty years. In the community, he is regarded as the pioneer who developed village enterprises, and the man who proposed the vision of collective wealth distribution. Although he retired from his position 9 years ago, the 85 year old is still showing off his charm and wit every day for visitors who come to Huaxi.
Wu Renbao, FMR. Party Secretary of Huaxi Village, said, "The most important thing I learned over the past five decades is if we want to develop ourselves, we must know how to find a way based on our condition and reality. And we must learn success stories as well as failures from others."
Huaxi's development is moving forward. It has garnered a lot of attention recently, being home to the first village-own aviation company and a skyscraper that is in the world's tallest list. The Huaxi general aviation company started operation last month, setting sights on China's general aviation industry. The affluent community is embracing a new-phase of economic growth.
To continue Wu Ren Bao's legacy, the villagers' elected his son Wu Xie En as the new head. They hope younger Wu will transform the village from its traditional industrial base to one emphasizing modern services.
Wu Xieen, Chairman, Jiangsu Huaxi Group, said, “We have been gradually shifting our focuses to tourism, finance, logistics, transportation sectors in recent years. The modern services industries will make up more of our revenue. In July the number of tourists increased by more than 40% year on year. And the new skyscraper hotel is specifically for tourist purposes."
Last year, the village's per capita income was about 88,000 yuan. Villagers like Ge Xiu Fang say living as a farmer in Huaxi is the best thing she can ever imagine.
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