Xi's Hubei inspection: Pioneering China's vision for rural development

Editor's note: Bobby Naderi is a London-based journalist, a guest contributor in print, radio and television, and a documentary filmmaker. This article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, to the counties of Yunmeng and Jiayu in Hubei Province marks a significant step forward in China's initiatives to develop rural areas through agricultural modernization and cultural heritage preservation.

During this visit, President Xi toured a museum in Yunmeng County, a vegetable farm in Panjiawan Town in Jiayu County and Siyi Village. Each location exemplifies the vision of fusing agricultural progress with cultural heritage tourism.

Celebrating cultural heritage through tourism

Yunmeng and Jiayu counties are rich with heritage assets, making them prime candidates for rural tourism development. Yunmeng County, for example, is home to historical and archaeological sites, with the Yunmeng County Museum serving as a central hub for cultural enthusiasts.

To unlock its cultural potential, Yunmeng could expand its heritage tourism programs to include guided tours, interpretive centers and educational workshops that showcase the region's identity and history for domestic and international visitors alike.

Jiayu County, on the other hand, presents a compelling model for agrotourism. Known for its rich agricultural production, Jiayu's landscapes are a powerful magnet for visitors interested in eco-tourism and authentic rural experience and customs.

Visitors to Jiayu can take part in farm tours, harvest festivals and cooking workshops. In the meantime, Jiayu can diversify its economy, boost agricultural income and create a model of sustainable rural development that also preserves the rural lifestyle and traditions.

Modernizing agriculture for rural revitalization

Here's something we all know: Agricultural modernization is the backbone of rural revitalization, with Hubei's agricultural resources providing ample potential for growth. The vegetable farms in Jiayu exemplify successful integration of modern agricultural practices, including improved irrigation, high-tech farming practices and value-added processing.

Expanding Jiayu's agricultural capacity involves not only technical advancements but also investment in infrastructure and supply chain systems that connect farmers to larger markets. By improving access to modern facilities, cold storage and distribution networks, vegetable farms in Jiayu could further increase productivity and income for farmers.

Through initiatives that showcase modernized farming techniques and organic produce, Jiayu can attract visitors interested in learning about sustainable farming, thereby enhancing its tourism appeal. This synergy between agriculture and tourism aligns with China's "rural-urban integration" goal: building industrial value chains that add resilience and inclusiveness to rural economies and paving the way for rural areas to share in the country's economic success.

Although Jiayu and Yunmeng have the potential for rural revitalization, local governments must make strategic interventions to overcome real-world challenges. The expenditures for maintaining historical sites, restoring cultural relics and creating infrastructure that appeals to tourists are substantial and can exceed local budgets.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer a promising way to overcome these financial and operational challenges. Through PPPs, private sector investments can be attracted to support rural infrastructure projects, agrotourism and heritage tourism. This approach enables the government to share costs and bring in private capital, expertise and innovative solutions.

Furthermore, communities can be empowered by government initiatives that develop local talent. To provide a pool of qualified individuals prepared to support rural development, educational programs in subjects like cultural preservation, agricultural technology and tourism management might be introduced at regional universities and vocational centers.

To ensure the sustainability of revitalization efforts in Jiayu and Yunmeng, central and provincial governments should increase subsidies and grants, as well as attract financial support for rural tourism infrastructure, cultural preservation and agricultural modernization projects. Local governments could also attract private capital through targeted PPPs. Such partnerships can help raise the bar on operational efficiency, drive innovation and bring in more capital for rural revitalization.

Additionally, the government can introduce educational initiatives that focus on cultural preservation, tourism management and sustainable agriculture. In an up close and personal fashion, the tendency of rural-to-urban migration might be halted if young people were encouraged to pursue professions in these disciplines through good governance and local implementation.

It has long been realized that policies that favor local businesses, regional craftsmen and agricultural cooperatives can make rural development projects more inclusive and successful. Programs on market access, business support and skill development can also grant residents active participation in their local economies. Moreover, sufficient support for rural businesses can promote development efforts to address the urban-rural divide and create a more equitable society.

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