In the Chinese government system, county is the most important grassroots level of administration. The party secretary is the highest official in the county as he or she directs all important affairs. They normally have rich experience at various departments with proven capabilities before becoming party secretaries. CGTN's Nathan King got rare access to one county party secretary in Nanbu in Southwest China's Sichuan province and filed this report.

 

Successful Development here in Nanbu county Sichuan is a jog not a sprint - and this is how County party secretary Zhang Gensheng begins everyday - it focuses his mind he says -and he is often joined by party colleagues to discuss their schedule.

 

A quick change and he's on his way - to review some of the 300 projects currently in progress in Nanbu - projects like this 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.

 

ZHANG GENSHENG, COUNTY PARTY SECRETARY NANBU COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE On the other side of the mountain lies the industrial park, and here's a new district for the county with this transport link, we can link modern industrialization and urbanization and integrate the city.

 

He rallies the workers and is 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.

 

NATHAN KINGNANBU COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE So what we are seeing here is a pretty intense discussion the county secretary is trying to convince that farmers here to farm their own land in the project if they own the produce they can make more money - if they just rent their land out to a company they've got a guaranteed income but it could be much lower- the farmers are wondering whether to take the risk.

 

Some villagers say they are too old to farm the land themselves, and need expert help, they also worry about a market for their oranges once they are grown- one by one the Zhang Gensheng addressed their concerns until consensus is achieved. Then it's off to a local school-the school year is beginning and the party secretary is here to check everything is in place and the students are happy

 

NATHAN KING NANBU COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE Because this is a pretty rural school a lot of kids actually live here but they are able to talk to their parents over this video link- the county secretary is also talking to the parents and reassuring them that their kids are in good hands and it's the beginning of the school year and it's going to be a good one.

 

In a short break from his duties, Zhang tells me that the children remind him of his early career as a school teacher for 8 years, before transferred to the county authorities, working for different departments for decades and finally elected as a county 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.

 

ZHANG GENSHENG, COUNTY PARTY SECRETARY NANBU COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE 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 here 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 this new one- both now are employed at this nearby mushroom growing co-operative - their income and peace of mind have soared Mrs. Yao is also now receiving free treatment for her cancer that is now under control.

 

ZHANG GENSHENG, COUNTY PARTY SECRETARY NANBU COUNTY, SICHUAN PROVINCE Chinese people are proud of this fast-changing situation, we are full of confidence in the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The county 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.

 

Family by family this sort of attention to detail has led to Nanbu county to become a moderately prosperous community - a target the whole of China hopes to achieve by 2021. Achieving that goal requires an all out effort- we are invited to a meeting of the county's poverty alleviation committee- here county officials and experts share village concerns and best practices.

 

And in his office the party county secretary is forceful in one 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 - charts and maps line the walls recording everyone's progress.

 

Nanbu county is blessed with beautiful scenery - out on this scenic lake Zhang Gensheng takes it all in - a moment to reflect - and progress is coming to this part of the county too- Tourism projects are due to open on this lake the next few months-then the thousands that come here will be able to see for themselves Nanbu's development and contribute to it too... Nathan King CGTN Nanbu County, Sichuan.