When Cheng Ju left her design career in bustling Guangzhou eight years ago to return to her impoverished hometown of Dashi Village, few expected her to become an architect of rural transformation. Today, the 30-something village Party secretary stands at the forefront of China’s rural vitalization movement, proving that youth-driven innovation can turn forgotten communities into thriving hubs.
Located in Hubei Province, Dashi was once synonymous with poverty. \\"We had no roads, no industries, and youth fled to cities,\\" Cheng recalls. Her leadership team – now including four newly elected officials born in the 1980s-90s – introduced eco-tourism, digital farming tools, and artisan cooperatives. Last year, the village welcomed over 30 young returnees launching agritech startups and cultural preservation projects.
This shift mirrors China’s national strategy to empower rural areas through sustainable development and youth engagement. Data from the National Rural Revitalization Bureau shows 12 million young professionals have returned to countryside roles since 2015, with 42% focusing on green initiatives.
\\"We’re blending tradition with blockchain-tracked organic farms,\\" says Cheng, noting their honey cooperative now supplies premium retailers nationwide. The village’s revival offers a blueprint for global communities seeking to combat urban migration through grassroots innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
