China Footprint: Story of a county-level Party secretary

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China's development is happening on the ground city by city and county by county. Those responsible for implementing development are the county-level officials of the Communist Party of China. And on a wet August morning we followed one such official in Sichuan – Zhang Gensheng, secretary of the Nanbu County Committee of the CPC.

His day starts with a jog, which he uses to clear his mind – officials often join him to discuss the day head.

A quick change and he's on his way to review some of the 300 projects currently in progress in Nanbu – a road and tunnel that will help create a new industrial zone, and many jobs in businesses ranging from silk and beer production to electric cars and mobile phones.

Huofeng Tunnel, Nanbu County, Sichuan.

Zhang Gensheng is inspecting the tunnel project. /Photo by Peter Stolz

Pointing to the nearly completed tunnel in a new district for the county, Zhang tells us that on the other side of the mountain lies the industrial park. “With this transport link,” he says, “we can link modern industrialization and urbanization and integrate the city.”

After rallying the workers he’s quickly on his way, inspecting a huge new school project, and a recently launched orange growing co-operative that gives each villager here a plot of land to boost their income. But with development comes disagreement – villagers here remain to be convinced that farming the land themselves will pay off. Some villagers say they are too old to farm the land themselves, and need expert help, they also worry about the market for their oranges once they are grown. One by one Zhang Gensheng addressed their concerns until consensus is achieved.

Villagers here remain to be convinced that farming the land themselves will pay off. /Photo by Peter Stolz

One by one, Zhang Gensheng addressed villagers’ concerns until consensus is achieved. /Photo by Peter Stolz

With the school year just beginning, the Party secretary heads to a local school to ensure everything is in place and the students are happy.

Left-behind kids at a rural school are talking to their parents over this video link. The county-level Party secretary is also talking to the parents and reassuring them that their kids are in good hands. /Photo by Peter Stolz

Zhang Gensheng with children at Dongba Town Primary School. /Photo by Peter Stolz

In a short break from his duties, Zhang tells me that the children remind him of his early career as a school teacher for eight years, before being transferred to the county authorities, working for different departments for decades and finally elected as a county-level Party secretary. Zhang also tells me a story about when his car was once trapped in a flood and local villagers rescued him. He then joined the villagers and helped rescue others. He says that day cemented his belief in the people and their potential. "I feel deeply that people are the most lovable and most respected ones. They will payback your efforts many times over.”

That belief in people is revealed in his work. A local villager, Mrs. Yao, is emotional as she recalls how the Party secretary helped her and her husband out of poverty by personally overseeing the replacement of their old house with a brand new one. Both are now employed at a nearby mushroom growing co-operative, and their income and peace of mind have soared. Mrs. Yao is also now receiving free treatment for her cancer that is now under control.

Mrs. Yao is emotional as she recalls how the Party secretary helped her and her husband out of poverty./Photo by Peter Stolz

Zhang Gensheng is inspecting the mushroom growing co-operative. /Photo by Peter Stolz

Family by family, attention to detail has led to Nanbu county to become a moderately prosperous community – a target the whole of China hopes to achieve by 2020.

At the meeting of the county's poverty alleviation committee, county officials and experts share village concerns and best practices. /Photo by Peter Stolz

In his office, the county-level Party secretary is forceful in one-on-one sessions with his colleagues. There is no room for error, he stresses, everyone in the Party must focus their efforts in raising rural incomes.

In his office the county-level Party secretary is forceful in one on one sessions with his colleagues. /Photo by Peter Stolz

Targeted poverty alleviation projects in Nanbu are paying off. Zhang says Chinese people are proud of this fast-changing situation. “We are full of confidence in the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics,” he emphasizes. “The county-level Party secretary is the first line commander. And setting this leading example in the hearts of the people is the most rewarding part of my career."