Xiazhuang is a village in Wushan county, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality. It is nestled at the bottom of a deep valley, surrounded by towering cliffs, and was once isolated from the outside world.

Villagers had to navigate a treacherous ancient trail to reach the county town, a round trip that took at least four days. Almost half of the villagers never left the mountain areas in their lifetime.

Recognizing the necessity of improving connectivity for the village's future, Mao Xianglin, Party chief of Xiazhuang, made a bold decision in 1997 to build a road.

"We can't stay poor forever. No matter how difficult it is, I'll take the lead and push forward," Mao said at the time.

With unwavering resolve, Mao rallied the villagers to embark on the arduous task. In early 2004, their collective effort and perseverance paid off, an 8-kilometer road was finally completed, linking the village to the outside world and paving the way for future growth.

Understanding that infrastructure alone was not enough to lift the village out of poverty, Mao then spearheaded agricultural initiatives with an initial focus on citrus cultivation. However, he encountered setbacks as pest infestations nearly led to total crop failure.

Mao realized construction of roads can rely on sheer determination, but development requires scientific approaches.

By seeking expert advice and conducting thorough assessments of soil quality, climate conditions and sunlight exposure, the village chose citrus, peach and watermelon cultivation as its major agricultural endeavors. With professional training, the village's agricultural output flourished in the years that followed.

Mao Xianglin, Party chief of Xiazhuang village in Wushan county, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, picks oranges in the village orchard. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

As China's poverty alleviation campaign gained momentum in 2015, Xiazhuang accelerated its development efforts and quickly became one of the first villages in Wushan county to completely eradicate poverty.

In 2018, Mao and his fellow villagers established a specialized agricultural cooperative, transitioning from scattered planting to industrialized production of fruits.

Their hard work began to pay off, with citrus yields reaching a record high in 2019. The per capita net income in the village reached 13,785 yuan ($1949.51) in 2020, 40 times those of the years before the road was constructed.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mao was honored as a National Model of Poverty Alleviation by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council in February 2021.

"This honor makes me feel the weight on my shoulders even heavier. I will work harder to give back to my fellow villagers," he said when receiving the award.

The accolade didn't stop Mao's endeavor to vitalize his village. He remains committed to his community, focusing on rural vitalization initiatives such as improving living conditions, enhancing tourism infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly growth.

Mao was elected as a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress in 2023. With a vision to transform the local natural beauty into economic prosperity, he advocates for ecological conservation and green development.

In his pursuit of prioritizing ecological progress and seeking green development, Mao has become increasingly focused on public interest litigation and the work of the procuratorial authorities.

In June 2023, Mao, in an observer role, attended a public interest litigation case involving illegal fishing and hunting activities in the Dachang Lake Wetland Park in Wushan.

Expressing concern for the ecological impact of such actions, Mao emphasized the importance of upholding environmental laws and protecting natural resources.

He stressed the importance of public interest litigation to preserve the environment for future generations.

"The publicity of public interest litigation should be enhanced to make the villagers in remote towns and villages familiar with this system and encourage their participation," he said.

Reflecting on the village's journey from isolation to prosperity, Mao remains resolute in his commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.

Mao Xianglin, Party chief of Xiazhuang village in Wushan county, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, and a deputy to the National People's Congress, chats with fellow villagers about development. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Looking to the future, Mao said he will continue to lead Xiazhuang on a path to ecological prosperity, ensuring a legacy of growth and sustainability for generations to come.