In a bid to bridge the urban-rural divide, China has dispatched over 1 million first secretaries to rural villages, including Li Quansheng, a professor from Beijing Foreign Studies University, who has been serving in Dongshaoqu village, Miyun district, Beijing, for two years. As the first secretary of the village, Li has become an integral part of the community, earning the affectionate title of ‘Teacher Li’ from the villagers.
Li’s day begins at the village primary school, where he teaches jiaodi, an ancient Chinese-style of wrestling, to the children. This traditional sport, which Li has also introduced to schools in Hungary and Poland, has become a favourite among the village kids. The children’s faces light up when Li walks into the room, and they eagerly show off their new moves, a testament to the positive impact Li has had on their lives.
Education and Opportunity
Next door to the wrestling class, a dozen children sit quietly reading English books donated through Li’s university contacts. Guo Hongyan, vice principal of Dongshaoqu Primary School, notes that the biggest difference between city and rural children lies in the breadth of their horizons. ‘Teacher Li has brought new ideas and a wider world to our village,’ she says. The children are eager to learn, and one little girl looks up from her book and says softly, ‘My English is getting better. One day, I’ll talk to foreigners and tell them about my home.’
The Chinese government’s rural revitalisation strategy, which aims to improve the lives of rural residents, has led to the deployment of hundreds of thousands of first secretaries like Li. According to the rural-urban divide in China, the country has made significant strides in reducing poverty and improving living standards in rural areas. The first secretaries, who come from various backgrounds, including government departments, universities, and state-owned enterprises, play a crucial role in developing local industries and improving the lives of rural residents.
Planting Seeds of Hope
Li’s story is just one example of the positive impact that first secretaries are having on rural communities. As he goes about his day, Li is planting seeds of hope that will one day grow strong. The children he teaches, the villagers he helps, and the community he serves are all benefiting from his presence. As Li says, ‘I was born in the countryside, and my greatest wish has always been to help our fellow villagers live better lives.’ The rural revitalisation strategy, which has been implemented by the Chinese government, has the potential to bring about significant positive change in rural areas, and the work of first secretaries like Li is at the heart of this effort.
To learn more about China’s rural revitalisation strategy, visit the official Chinese government website, which provides information on the country’s development plans and policies.
- The rural revitalisation strategy aims to improve the lives of rural residents by developing local industries and improving living standards.
- First secretaries, like Li Quansheng, play a crucial role in implementing this strategy and bringing about positive change in rural communities.
- The deployment of hundreds of thousands of first secretaries has the potential to bring about significant improvements in rural areas, including increased access to education and economic opportunities.
