E-Commerce: Online sales fuel profits for Shaanxi Province villagers

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In recent years, e-commerce has seen great development in China, not only in cities but in rural areas as well. In parts of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, villagers are finding new markets for their local specialties. CGTN's Zheng Yibing reports from Qishan county.

Spicy, chewy, and tasty. This local cold noodle called "Ganmianpi" is very popular in northwestern China.

ZHENG YIBING QISHAN COUNTY, SHAANXI PROVINCE "In the past, it was pretty hard to taste authentic food like this anytime anywhere. But now, with E-commerce, things are vastly different."

Its production has been modernized because of online sales. It's happened in many villages across Qinshan county, like here in Linghu where locals raised manufacturing standards – based on the promise of E-commerce.

LI WENJING RURAL ENTREPRENEUR, LINGHU VILLAGE "We carry out the information management in production. We have tools, for example, to test the chewiness and acidity of these cold noodles, to keep a consistent flavor."

ZHENG YIBING QISHAN COUNTY, SHAANXI PROVINCE "Thank you very much. Well, it tastes as good as those in restaurants."

These kinds of local treats definitely need promotion to spur online sales. But unlike high-end commercial advertisements, locals have their own sales techniques.

SALES PROMOTER "The spicy and sour flavor costs only 16.85 yuan for each package now."

Well, the method using E-commerce platforms does work.

LI ZHANXIANG RURAL ENTREPRENEUR, LINGHU VILLAGE "Gradually, we've also sold other specialties in this way, like Qinshan noodles, crusty pancake, local burger, pepper powder and minced meat to other parts of the country."

Annual E-commerce sales in the village have hit about seven million dollars. So Linghu now serves as a model for other villages in Shaanxi Province. And the locals have a promising future.

ZHANG BAOLIN CHIEF OF LINGHU VILLAGE "Next, we will build a high-level E-commerce industrial park and create more job opportunities for people in the neighboring areas."

For this village, life is changing due to the success of e-commerce. And while there will certainly be challenges ahead, the people here say they're committed to making the most out of the opportunities still to come. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Qishan, Shaanxi Province.