In an interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Li Youshou, the party secretary of Baihua Village in Shuangjing Town, Xupu County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province. Li described Baihua Village, an ancient community renowned for its floral cultivation and beekeeping traditions, particularly during the frost season when the village is vibrant with colorful flowers and meticulously maintained gardens.
Li explained, “Our focus has been on holistic development and self-governance among villagers. We’ve established cultural squares and leisure pathways to enhance the village’s aesthetic appeal while providing spaces for residents to engage in cultural and recreational activities.” Baihua Village has embraced initiatives like the “Thousand Villages Demonstration, Ten Thousand Villages Rectification” program, actively improving living conditions and environment. “With the patience of planting flowers and the persistence of beekeeping, we’ve transformed our environment into a beautiful setting for a better life, paving our own ‘flower path’.”
Since the beginning of the environmental improvement project, over 1 million yuan has been allocated to Baihua Village, leading to enhancements in village infrastructure and community development. The roads have been widened, and a garbage transfer station is under construction. In 2023, Baihua Village was recognized as an advanced village in rural living conditions at the town level and as a sanitary village at the city level.
One villager, He Hongqun, shared her thoughts on the transformation: “The roads used to be muddy and full of holes, with litter scattered everywhere. Now, the environment is clean, and better road conditions have boosted sales of honey, oranges, and peaches from our village.”
Li highlighted that improving living conditions is not only about enhancing physical spaces but also about enriching the community’s spirit and values. “Our goal is to not only enrich our pockets but to enrich our minds as well,” he noted. To foster a culture of civility, the village committee revised community regulations based on guidelines from local authorities, encouraging participation through various platforms such as community meetings and councils.
Baihua Village also has implemented a grid management system, inspired by Zhejiang Province’s “Million Projects.” The village party secretary leads this initiative, with different roles assigned to village staff and sanitation workers to ensure everyone contributes to maintaining a clean and orderly environment.
Peng Kaihua, the mayor of Shuangjing Town, emphasized their proactive approach: “We strive for sustained management and regular oversight, transforming ‘officials do the work while residents observe’ into a collaborative effort where everyone participates in improving their environment.”
To bolster rural revitalization efforts, Baihua Village leverages the town’s discipline inspection committee to create a feedback loop, ensuring that community concerns are addressed swiftly. “Post-resolution, relevant departments conduct follow-up calls or visits to gather feedback, continuously refining our approaches,” stated Yan Yuan, the secretary of the town’s discipline committee.
As spring approaches, bringing with it a natural beauty that enhances the village further, the commitment to improving living conditions and creating a livable and productive community persists. The unity between villagers and local officials drives the ongoing efforts to meet the goals set out in the central government’s directives for comprehensive rural revitalization. This collaborative spirit not only heightens the villagers’ sense of happiness and fulfillment but also adds vibrancy to the journey towards sustainable rural development.
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