Ouyang Hua: Talents vital to rural revitalization

Ouyang Hua, Party secretary of Baita village in Yixing and a newly selected deputy for the 13th National People's Congress, stresses the importance of young talent in realizing rural revitalization. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Rural revitalization was a major focus of NPC deputies and CPPCC members during this year's national two sessions.

"Rural revitalization calls for scientific planning and innovative thinking, with young people as the driving force behind development," said Ouyang Hua, a first-time deputy to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Ouyang Hua, Party secretary of Baita village in Yixing, Jiangsu province, has turned the backward village into a successful example of rural revitalization.

Situated among bamboo groves on the hillside, Baita village used to be extremely poor, but thanks to its two pillar industries -- high-yield agriculture and tourism -- the village has managed to shake off poverty.

The village currently has eight cultivation demonstration bases, including Nantian bamboo and cherry blossoms, and has built a series of agricultural sightseeing gardens and cultural exhibition halls.

Investors have brought new ideas and business models to the village. Last year, it received more than 800,000 visits.

Ouyang insisted that the pristine environment and traditional customs be preserved in revitalizing rural areas.

"Young people are a stable source of customers for the village," said Ouyang, adding that the village has opened a Starbucks where young people can relax and appreciate the breathtaking scenery.

In his proposal, he suggested that urban residents be allowed to build houses on leased land in rural areas.

"Renters can not only provide accommodation for themselves during holiday but also a good place for elder family members to enjoy life after retirement," Ouyang noted.

"There is no unified 'model' or 'format' for the central government's beautiful village construction project," he said, adding that villages will focus on their own competitive potential and tailor policies accordingly.

The Beautiful Village Construction is a strategy for rural revitalization proposed by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017.

According to Ouyang's survey, about 80 percent of the farmers in his village have unused land. Renting out these lands would be a good way to make rural assets profitable and increase the income of farmers, he noted.