Qiu Caili, a woman living in Sanming, a city in southeast China's Fujian Province, has benefited considerably from improvements in her hometown's ecological conservation, and especially the development of rural tourism. Qiu's home is in Changkou, a picturesque village in Gaotang, a town in Sanming's Jiangle County. Every summer, especially in August, tourists from across China visit the village. Why? August is the best time of year to enjoy entertainment and relaxation in the village. Qiu and her family operate a teahouse in their beautiful courtyard. The family has developed its home-based business into a leading tourism brand, and the teahouse has become a popular site in Changkou. 

As a way to highlight the concept raised by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," an educational base has been established in Changkou Village. In addition, the village has created a kayak base and various other tourist facilities to attract an increasing number of tourists annually. Qiu's courtyard is clean and tidy, and it is located on a path that cannot be missed by visitors to Changkou. 

Seizing the Opportunity

Lei Cha, known as either "ground tea" or "pounded tea," is a traditional tea-based Hakka beverage. Lei Cha is made by grinding ingredients — such as tea leaves, peanuts, sesame seeds, beans, rice, salt, orange peels, and sometimes herbs — into a paste. The Hakka people usually use a mortar and pestle to make Lei Cha. The paste is mixed with hot water into a soup-like beverage, and it is served in bowls.

Qiu realized she should seize the opportunity of her village's development of tourism to promote the traditional skills of making Lei Cha, at which she excels. So, in 2020, she established the teahouse in her home. 

Tourists are welcomed to drink her homemade Lei Cha while they chat with her and her family, and especially as they ask her to explain the tea-grinding skills.

Since then, many other women have opened teahouses in Changkou, and by doing so they have increased their families' incomes. Statistics indicate more than 100,000 tourists visited Changkou in 2023. 

Ecological Protection

Since they have benefited from the "green" (environmentally friendly) development of their village, Qiu and her family have deepened their understanding of the importance of ecological protection. They do everything they can to conserve energy and reduce their carbon emissions; for example, they advocate an ecologically civilized, healthy, thrifty and environmentally friendly lifestyle. They also save water and recycle used materials, to help boost "green" development.

Both Qiu and her husband, Jiang Zhangsheng, participate in ecological-conservation activities organized in their village. As a member of a team of women volunteers in Changkou, Qiu takes the lead in promoting environmental protection, participating in the protection of the local river, sorting garbage, and improving the natural environment. Qiu and Jiang also plant trees and urge the other villagers to pay attention to public health and ecological civilization. Given the importance they attach to ecological protection, Qiu's family has been named a "role model" in the village.

In December 2021, a Lei Cha "micro home" was established in Changkou. Qiu is the "backbone" of the "micro home," which actually is a grassroots team of volunteers composed of 30-plus rural women. Qiu and her "sisters" provide various services, such as helping solve disputes in locals' marriages and family lives, educating children, and supporting women living with difficulties.

Qiu is grateful Jiang has remained by her side throughout the years, and that he has always encouraged her to seek solutions to the various problems she has faced.

Qiu and Jiang's son, Zhang Huansong, has grown up in a warm and happy family atmosphere, in which he has constantly received positive influence from his parents.

Zhang is a postgraduate student at Southeast University, in east China's Jiangsu Province. He has become a member of the CPC. The good family education and the virtues instilled in Zhang has earned Qiu and Jiang's family great respect. The family is admired and has been acclaimed by the other villagers. Qiu's family was selected a National Most Beautiful Family in 2023. 

Qiu is also a member of a local women's publicity team, which tells stories about their hometown's development. When tourists sip Lei Cha in Qiu's courtyard, Qiu likes to explain her village's efforts to explore a development path driven by ecological protection.

While noting her family was selected — once again — a "role model" in ecological protection last year, Qiu says, "We will highly cherish the honor, lead our villagers in the protection of the ecological environment, and tell well the stories of how we practice the guiding principle of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets'." 

Photos from Sanming Women's Federation

(Women of China English Monthly March 2024)