MEET CHINA Episode 42

In this episode of Meet China, we explore four stories where tradition meets innovation, showcasing transformation across rural and cultural landscapes.

Tonglu County's transformation: From rural roots to delivery dominance
Tonglu County in Zhejiang Province is the birthplace of China's private express delivery industry. Since 1993, when local farmer Nie Tengfei founded the country's first private courier service, Tonglu has become home to the "Big Four" delivery giants—STO, YTO, ZTO, and Yunda—that now handle 70 percent of China's 500 million daily parcels. Veteran courier Liu Shuli delivers over 500 packages daily, aided by drones that cut delivery times to remote areas from hours to minutes. Tonglu's 12,000 couriers operate within a smart logistics network featuring AI-powered sorting, autonomous delivery vans with 200km range, and an "Express Technology Town" hosting 400 logistics firms. From a quiet agricultural county, Tonglu's grassroots entrepreneurship and tech adoption have reshaped China's logistics industry and are now driving global expansion.

Blooming prosperity: Yunnan's flower industry fuels rural revival
Yunnan Province produces 70 percent of China's cut flowers, centered in Jinning District, creating over 52,000 jobs and attracting young professionals back to rural areas. Agriculture student Du Junbao exemplifies this trend, applying modern skills in high-tech greenhouses that use coconut fiber substrates, climate control, and triple-filtered irrigation to achieve yields of 50,000–80,000 yuan per 600 square meters annually. Cooperative models enable villagers to rent greenhouses and receive technical training, while younger workers adapt well to precise temperature controls. For working mothers like Tian Cai'e, the flower industry offers flexible income opportunities. Scientific methods also accelerate growth cycles, making Yunnan's flower farms a leading force in China's agricultural modernization.

Jixian's apple-driven economic growth
Since 2020, Shanxi's Jixian County has sustained annual per capita GDP growth above 5%, reaching 11.8% in 2023, largely due to its apple industry. By improving product quality through technology, extending the industrial chain, and expanding e-commerce sales channels, Jixian has significantly boosted incomes for local farmers and businesses.

Yu Opera reimagined: A timeless art's modern revival
Henan's Yu Opera, a centuries-old cultural treasure from the Yellow River basin, is experiencing a vibrant renaissance. Chang Xiaoyu, heir to the traditional Chang school vocal techniques, represents classical purity, while Zhu Xuguang of the Henan Yu Opera Youth Troupe brings modern costume aesthetics and innovation. Their collaboration reflects Yu Opera's broader revival, blending precise traditional vocal control with contemporary adaptations that engage younger audiences. This fusion ensures Yu Opera remains a vital and relevant art form in modern China.