'Huanren ginseng' goes global, grows market

In the remote northeastern corner of China, what was once a local secret — the forest-grown ginseng — is now making its way into markets around the globe. This unlikely journey from obscurity to international acclaim is led by Chen Ruoqing, 41, a determined entrepreneur from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

"My dream is to bring Huanren county's unique products, especially its forest-grown ginseng, to the world," she said.

The slow-growing, short plant with a fleshy root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It has not only carved a niche for itself in this distant county, but also reshaped the economic landscape of Huanren in Benxi, Liaoning province, where the rugged terrain meets the vast expanses of the Changbai Mountains.

Over a decade ago, when Chen first set foot in Liaoning, she could never have believed that the trip would completely change her life trajectory. The black soil region's vast agricultural potential captivated her, particularly Huanren's forest-grown ginseng, a plant that thrives in the pristine natural forests of the area.

Nestled in the foothills of the Changbai Mountains, Huanren boasts a forest coverage rate that makes it an ideal environment for growing forest ginseng. Unlike its cultivated counterparts, forest-grown ginseng requires at least 15 years to mature, drawing nutrients from the rich soil and vegetation of its environment. The result is a product of better quality, revered for its medicinal properties and health benefits.

"I traveled through both Jilin and Liaoning provinces, and ultimately, I chose Huanren for its unparalleled natural conditions for high-quality ginseng," Chen said. "The mature industry chain here also makes it the perfect place for my business."

Chen said she was also inspired by a speech given by Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who emphasized the importance of economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Liaoning.

Eyeing this opportunity, she founded Best Choice (Liaoning) Healthy Technology Co Ltd and launched the Yu Bu Sen brand, which focuses on promoting high-quality agricultural products from Liaoning. Chen said this venture is not only the realization of a personal dream, but also a way to give back to a land that has given her much.

For Huanren, ginseng is more than just a medicinal herb — it is the backbone of the local economy. Although the county has a small population of 230,000, it is home to over 300 processing enterprises specializing in ginseng and other local medicinal herbs.