Long Rong, head of Baodongxi village in Yaoshi township, Central China's Hunan province, has always kept the concerns of her fellow villagers in mind. As a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), she has been committed to speaking out for local farmers and addressing their difficulties.

Long Rong (center), head of Baodongxi village in Yaoshi township of Mayang Miao autonomous county, Central China's Hunan province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress, chats with fellow villagers about sweet potato planting techniques in a field. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Born in 1985, Long had been working away from home since graduating from school till 2011, when she returned to her home village and set up a goat farm. Thanks to her hard work, her farm had grown to over 400 goats by 2016, making her a well-known goat farmer in the region. Her personal success inspired other villagers, who started their own goat farms with her help, many lifted out of poverty eventually.

She then took the lead in developing the cattle industry and planting sweet potatoes. Under Long's efforts, villagers who plant sweet potatoes saw an average household income increase of over 2,000 yuan ($281) per year.

However, expanding the market for agricultural products has always been a tough issue. Baodongxi village, nestled in the hilly area in Mayang Miao autonomous county of Hunan near the border with Southwest China's Guizhou province, had long grappled with underdevelopment due to inadequate infrastructure.

After being elected as a deputy to the 13th Hunan Provincial People's Congress in 2018, Long submitted a total of 39 suggestions, most of which focused on rural infrastructure construction and road improvements. These suggestions received attention from relevant government departments and were gradually materialized.

Over the next few years, the village saw infrastructure renovations completed, roads improved, 160 road lights installed, and three large water reservoirs constructed.

Long also worked with local water resources department to regenerate the Huashi River, a vital waterway in Yaoshi township.

Long Rong (left), head of Baodongxi village in Yaoshi township of Mayang Miao autonomous county, Central China's Hunan province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress, chats with a fellow villager about livestock feeding. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

In 2023, she was elected as a deputy to the 14th NPC. Recognizing the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing essential services and markets, Long submitted seven suggestions on enhancing rural logistics infrastructure to fill the gap of last-mile delivery services.

Her efforts culminated in the realization of express delivery services reaching every corner of Mayang, facilitating trade and boosting economic opportunities for local farmers.

As an NPC deputy, Long continues to amplify the voices of rural communities, advocating for initiatives ranging from rural road maintenance to elderly care and irrigation infrastructure.

Long Rong (third from the left), head of Baodongxi village in Yaoshi township of Mayang Miao autonomous county, Central China's Hunan province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress, chats with villagers, listening to their opinions and concerns. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

"The people elect me as an NPC deputy, and I will act for them with concrete actions," Long said, "even the smallest concerns of the people must be treated as a priority.”

Han Wei and Yu Hao contributed to this story.