Source: CCTV.com

05-03-2006 15:44

As the drive to build "a socialist new countryside" continues, the Chinese government is working out its policy priorities to help its nine hundred million rural residents.

Five years ago, Wu Shouguo had to go to the big cities to make a living producing these alloy window frames.

Now the 39-year-old farmer is finding a prosperous market in his home village.

His alloy window frames are being used in almost every two-story house built here.

These alloy window frames used to be the preserve of well-off urban dwellers.

Wu said: "The people in my village are getting richer. With the new houses increasing, my business is getting better. I don't have to travel to the cities for work any more."

This village in eastern China's Jiangsu province started its rural reform process six years ago.

80 percent of its farmers have now moved into bigger houses. The village has new roads and entertainment facilities.

Many have now moved away from farming and have started their own businesses.

This small schoolbag factory makes about around three thousand US dollars a month in revenues.

With the development of the area's economy, workers in the village no longer have to move to the big cities.

Wang Weizhang, Head of Wangzui village of Jiangsu Province said: "Migrating to the big cities for work is one way for farmers to get out of poverty. But we believe that developing the county's economy at a grass-roots level has more value. We're encouraging people with every possible favorable policy."

As farmer and a businessman, Wu Shouguo balances the two roles well.

He invests his extra income in his agricultural ventures.

Although life no longer revolves around where his next meal is coming from, he says he has no intention of giving up his farmland

For farmers in Wangzui village, memories of poverty are still fresh.

Although it is the same land, they're living in a totally different world now, they know that the improvements to their living conditions is just the beginning.

House building in Wangzui village is no longer big news.

Villagers care more about what's in the house.

Wu Shouguo is redecorating his old one.

This modern bathroom is almost ready for use.

It'll replace this old-fashioned open-roof bathroom not far away from Wu's house.

Tearing down these old facilities is symbolic of deeper changes... It's a goodbye to the old lifestyle, and perhaps more importantly - a goodbye to the bondage of old ideas and a new pride in the fact that they are farmers - farmers living in a new Chinese countryside.

 

Editor:Chen Minji