Some of the splendid scenery in Xinghua's rural areas. [Photo provided to etaizhou.gov.cn]
In the wake of a provincial guideline released on Jan 23, Xinghua – a county-level city administered by Taizhou city, in East China's Jiangsu province – is currently ramping up the construction of its characteristic idyllic countryside demonstration areas on a broader scale.
China's development of a so-called characteristic idyllic countryside is an innovative practice to promote rural revitalization based on rural realities. The term characteristic stands for competence in industries, the ecosystem and culture.
The moves being made by Xinghua are said to be at the forefront of those in the province.
In July 2022, Xinghua started the preliminary work and determined the construction area would be 81.34 square kilometers, involving Qianduo, Xingdong and Zhongbao towns and 11 villages including Dongluo village and Wanwang village.
The overall ecosystem, culture and stories of Xinghua will provide a foundation for the city to become a pilot area in creating featured rural areas.
By the end of last year, there were 15 provincial-level characteristic idyllic countrysides in Xinghua, among 593 characteristic ones in the province.
The construction of distinctive towns and villages has to some extent relieved the problem of population loss in rural areas, attracting people who had moved to cities to return to their hometowns and start up businesses.
At present, Xinghua is rolling out a work plan for the next three to five years, which will highlight the characteristics of its Lixia River and explore a new path of rural construction under new circumstances.