Byline: In a bold move that’s transforming rural China, 1990s-born college graduate Wang Lingli traded city life for the countryside, bringing innovation and prosperity to her hometown in Sichuan Province.
While many graduates chase urban dreams, Wang returned home in 2015 to manage a sprawling 3,000-mu (200-hectare) cooperative in Chongzhou City. Facing skepticism from locals who doubted her commitment, she tackled the challenge head-on.
“You went to university just to come back and farm?” villagers questioned. Others dismissed her efforts, saying, “This city-educated girl won’t last a season.”
Undeterred, Wang introduced advanced machinery and smart farming techniques that transformed productivity. Yields surged, farmers’ incomes increased, and the community began to thrive under her leadership.
By 2023, her operations expanded to 7,000 mu (467 hectares), producing over 6,000 tonnes of wheat and rice. Over 2,000 households benefited, with farmers earning more than 5,000 yuan (around $688) per month during peak seasons, and machinery operators making up to 400 yuan a day.
Her remarkable achievements earned her national recognition as a role model worker in Beijing ahead of International Labor Day—a first for someone from her hometown.
Wang is part of a new wave of “new farmers”—well-educated young people choosing to bring their skills to rural areas. These youth are becoming key drivers in China’s rural revitalization, using innovative solutions to tackle longstanding challenges.
According to Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, more than 12 million people have relocated to rural areas to start businesses—a significant trend in rural development.
President Xi Jinping has emphasized the crucial role of youth in China’s modernization efforts. In his 2023 New Year Address, he stated, “A nation will prosper only when its young people thrive. For China to develop further, our young people must step forward and take on their responsibilities.”
The government has implemented policies to support young entrepreneurs in rural areas, offering loans, subsidies, and training programs to encourage more youth to join the rural revitalization movement.
With leaders like Wang at the forefront, China’s countryside is experiencing a renaissance, proving that innovation and youthful drive can spark significant change.
