Voices from the fields

The video highlights the challenges facing these schools, many of which have been closed or merged due to declining student numbers.

It also explores how abandoned school buildings are being repurposed and how children in these areas continue their education despite the difficulties.

"I went through similar changes in my own primary school years, which is why I've been closely following this issue," Zhao said.

Many viewers respond to these rural challenges with frustration, questioning the point of showcasing problems that seem so difficult to resolve.

Zhao, however, offers a different perspective. "If you see a problem and stay silent, that's true powerlessness," he said. "By shedding light on these issues, we make them visible. These challenges require collective effort. We simply need to do our part and trust that others will do theirs."

By the end of this year, Zhao's first book, which captures his conversations with farmers across the country, is set to be published.

"I plan to keep making rural-themed documentaries for at least 10 years," Zhao said. "Over time, these videos will provide a small yet meaningful window into the historical changes taking place in rural China."