Quanzhou News, September 25 — Rural revitalization hinges on industrial prosperity as the foundation for long-term development. As President Xi Jinping highlighted, fostering industrial growth is crucial for addressing rural challenges, with an emphasis on modern agriculture and the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries.

Panoramic aerial photo of the Qian'an Village

　　Located in the southern part of Chongwu Peninsula, Hui'an County, Qian'an Village is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including Xisha Bay, one of China's most beautiful coastlines, and Gaolei Mountain, historically a critical defense point for Taiwan. In recent years, the village has made significant strides toward development by leveraging its geographical and cultural advantages. Qian'an has successfully integrated environmental restoration with the cultivation of key industries, adopting a "village collective + company + farmers" model. By focusing on the fishing port economy and leisure tourism projects around Gaolei Mountain, the village has turned its natural beauty into economic assets, transforming "scenic value" into "productive value" and directly benefiting the local community.

　　Focus on Stone Carving and Stone Materials: Revitalizing Village Resources

　　In the golden autumn months, Qian'an Village, situated by the sea, presents a picturesque coastal retreat. Visitors can sip coffee at the "Wenhai Café," enjoying the ocean breeze and the sunset while learning about the legends tied to Gaolei Mountain.

　　Chen Tengfei, the 62-year-old Party Secretary of Qian'an Village, recalls that the village was once a struggling fishing community due to the slow development of the local fishing industry. "For generations, the people here lived off the sea, but without the advancement of the fishing industry, Qian'an was a small and underdeveloped village," he explains. Since assuming leadership in 2009, Chen has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the villagers, guiding them through the challenges of revitalization.

　　Over the past 15 years, the village has focused on strengthening its collective economy and improving the livelihoods of its residents. Originally named "Qian'an" (meaning "wealth and prosperity"), the village covers an area of 3.5 square kilometers, with a coastline stretching 3.8 kilometers, and is home to 7,740 residents across 24 village groups.

　　After assessing local resources, the village leadership devised practical strategies to revitalize idle assets. By prioritizing the stone carving and stone materials industries, they aligned their efforts with the county's industrial planning, creating a standardized industrial park. The park now generates an annual output value of 25.5 million RMB, and collective income has risen by over 400,000 RMB annually. Moreover, by leasing collective land to businesses for factory construction, the village generates over 2 million RMB per year, benefiting both the community and local enterprises.

　　Qian'an also capitalized on its coastal resources, developing a series of high-impact tourism projects, including the Qian'an Party Building Cultural Park, Wenhai Cultural Park, Wenhai Swimming Pool, and other coastal tourism sites. These initiatives, once revitalized, are now operated by third-party businesses, enhancing both the village's environment and its rental income.

　　With government support, the village now earns over 3 million RMB annually, addressing the critical question of how to fund rural revitalization projects.

　　Improving the Living Environment: Enhancing Infrastructure for a Better Quality of Life

　　The core of rural revitalization is improving the lives of farmers, and this is evident not only in rising incomes but also in the transformation of the living environment.

　　As night falls, the "Smart Sports Park" at the foot of Gaolei Mountain comes to life, drawing people for activities such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and roller skating. "This park has become a popular tourist attraction, and it is the first smart sports park in Hui'an County," says Chen Tengfei proudly. What was once a derelict area filled with makeshift poultry sheds and untreated wastewater has now become a modern recreational facility that serves both the local community and visitors.

　　Years ago, the village struggled with waste and pollution, and residents lacked a sense of well-being. However, through dedicated efforts, the village has been transformed. Over 200 dilapidated houses were demolished to make way for public spaces, and the village became the first in the county to launch a "Qian'an Village Party Member Livestream" and establish a "Qian'an Village Committee" official account to engage the community. These initiatives have garnered support from residents, who have voluntarily cleaned the streets, integrated the sewage system, and revitalized 30 acres of unused land.

　　The village also created the "Marine Debris Cleaning Team" and the "Seaside Cleaning Team" to maintain its cleanliness and aesthetic appeal.

Villagers Find Employment Right at Their Doorstep

　　Promoting Economic Integration and Boosting Local Employment: Harnessing Cultural Tourism and Business

　　Improved infrastructure has not only created local employment opportunities but has also attracted returning villagers to start businesses, infusing the village with new talent and energy.

　　The Wenhai Cultural Park, located at the highest point of Gaolei Mountain, has become one of the most popular cultural tourism spots in Quanzhou, blending traditional Minnan red-brick architecture with modern design elements and Southeast Asian influences. In 2018, Chen Longjian, a former migrant worker, returned to his hometown to invest in the cultural tourism industry and opened the Wenhai Café.

　　The village's transformation caught the attention of the popular Hunan Television show Sisters Who Make Waves, which filmed a segment in Qian'an. After the broadcast, Qian'an became widely recognized, with annual tourist numbers now reaching hundreds of thousands.

　　The development of tourism has been closely linked to environmental improvements. Qian'an Village has not only created a better living environment but has also stimulated economic growth. Chen Tengfei shared his vision for the future: In addition to the Wenhai Cultural Park, the village is developing other tourism projects, including the Gaolei Seafood Experience Center, Gaolei Fishing Village Commercial Street, and a fisherman's lifestyle experience zone. The village is also planning "night economy" initiatives to diversify its offerings.

　　With investments already made in a commercial street, as well as plans for a beachfront park and village inns, Qian'an is preparing for a prosperous future that will attract both domestic and international visitors.

　　Once a quiet fishing village, Qian'an now stands as a model of rural revitalization, demonstrating how a community can transform itself by combining its natural beauty with modern development and a people-centered approach to growth.

　　Reporter Zhang Xiaoming/Article, Lin Jinfeng/Photo)