Once poor village takes on new look under renovation plans
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Visitors are likely to be impressed by brand-new residences and smooth paved roads when they come to Baorui Village in Hainan Province. But such a scene is barely imaginable back in 2017 when people of the Li ethnic group inhabiting here were mostly mired in poverty and lived in dilapidated houses.
Back then, the village only had muddy paths with many places inaccessible even to motorcycle traffic. For a village which grows rubber trees as sole source of income, lack of decently paved roads had made it extremely difficult for villagers to transport and sell rubber.
The year 2017 was a turning point for the villagers. In that year, thanks to a government-funded housing and infrastructure renovation plan, 62 households renovated their homes and 1.66 kilometers of roads were built.
In the village, almost every family grows rubber trees for a living. To mobilize villagers, the local government bought them natural rubber price insurance to hedge against price risks. Some other impoverished villagers turned to raise farm animals as another way to cast off poverty.
Only within years, the villagers here have access to tap water and natural gas, and they also have entertainment and sports facilities.
Villagers enjoy a meal together in Baorui Village, Dec. 17, 2020.
All 167 residents of the 41 officially registered poor households shook off poverty by the end of 2018.
Zhang Liyun
Zhang Liyun was born in 1992 in Hunan Province. She joined Xinhua News Agency Hainan Branch in November 2019. Her coverage focuses on scientific and technological development.
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