The Dream Factory of China

Source :Qianhai Communication Center

The per capita disposable income of residents in the Eighth Community of the Overseas Chinese Administrative District in Shanwei, which Qianhai has been designated to help lift out of poverty, exceeded 17,000 yuan (US$2,625) this year, nearly 70 percent higher than the provincial target for poverty alleviation.

According to Chen Wentao, head of the poverty eradication team dispatched by the Qianhai Authority to the community, the per capita disposable income has increased from 4,000 yuan in 2016 to 17,000 yuan in four years’ time.

“Qianhai has invested a total of 10.63 million yuan over the past four years in improving local infrastructure, developing industries and boosting consumption, culture and education,” Chen said.

The Qianhai Comprehensive Market, which is under construction, is the latest poverty-alleviation project.

Located in the central area of the Overseas Chinese Administrative District, the two-floor market will accommodate 300 fresh-food stalls, 50 indoor non-staple food stores and 25 outdoor shops, providing 600 employment positions to local residents. The per capita disposable income of the district is expected to exceed 20,000 yuan after the market is put into operation.

Chen said all revenue generated by the market project will be distributed to local poverty-stricken households in the form of cash dividends.

Previously, the Qianhai Authority had invested 2 million yuan on a flower cultivation base, adding jobs in the Eighth Community.

Last year, seasonal flowers with a market value of 2.6 million yuan were delivered to clients in Qianhai.

Qianhai also helps local communities develop culture. According to Chen, artists were invited to paint local culture elements on walls last year, to create a tourist attraction in a bid to develop the local tourism industry.

“We aim to turn the community into an exotic sightseeing resort, and a special Southeast Asian fruit planting base that supplies organic agricultural produce,” Chen said.

An e-commerce platform has been set up for the sale of agricultural produce and other locally made products. Chen said his team has introduced professionals with expertise in online business operations from Shenzhen to help run the e-commerce platform.

According to Chen, more than 25,000 kilograms of local fruit, 1,000 chickens, 10,000 native eggs and 2,500 kilograms of honey were sold through the platform last year.