We are learning lessons from afar

In May, I took a trip to Hunan province, where I gained a lot of insight into local rural vitalization efforts. I visited five villages that have developed industries appropriate to their area and thus raised local people's incomes.

I went as a business representative of Xinchengximen, my home in Xinjiang, along with village officials, who had been invited by the Hunan government.

My husband and I own a small company that produces iron and stainless steel goods. We mainly sell electric kitchenware for baking naan bread and roasting lamb.

During the eight days in Hunan, I concluded that my village must learn from our peers in the central province.

I saw photos that showed how Shibadong－which is home to many members of the Miao ethnic group－was once impoverished.

The high poverty level meant local men were unable to find wives. Now, they have developed their local intangible cultural heritage, including Miao embroidery, and they grow kiwi fruit and local specialties.

The residents renovated abandoned houses and opened homestays in them. I was very impressed to find that even seniors had set up stalls in front of their houses to make money.

At home, we have naan bread and grapes. We can also open homestays. We must be as diligent as the people in Shibadong, and we must do practical things to make money.

At a company that processes betel nuts, I saw raisins made from grapes grown in Turpan that were mixed with the nuts.

The product sells well across the country, so the company has created jobs for hundreds of farmers and improved their lives.

I set myself a goal－I am determined to expand my company to provide jobs for more of our villagers.

My husband and I started our business in 2019. Initially, we made whatever customers ordered, such as barbecue stoves, doors, windows, iron bedsteads and stainless steel kitchen utensils.

By investigating the market, we discovered that Turpan's restaurants and individuals used electric kitchenware, so we focused on making and selling ovens.

We now have about 20 employees, all from Xinchengximen. They are responsible for welding and repairing equipment. It's a skill that will allow them to make a living later on, after they have gained experience with our company.

The prospects for our village and people's spirits have improved a lot thanks to a team from Hunan that came to support our development.

The members did a lot of things for us, including building modern sanitation facilities, constructing a cultural square and a road, and helping to develop our pigeon-breeding industry.

We have a Xinchengximen-Shibadong WeChat group, where we exchange information.

They send us photos of their beautiful mountains, waterways and newly built facilities, and we send them photos of our unspoiled natural scenery.

Although we are about 3,000 kilometers apart, I am confident that our friendship will endure.

Aynur Aztul spoke with Li Hongyang.