Chen Xiaoli [Xinhua/Zhang Cheng]

Chen Xiaoli, 33, is a resident of Xianmagou, a village deep in the Taihang Mountains, in Linzhou, a city in Central China's Henan Province. Shortly after she married a man in Yaocun (a town in Linzhou), several years ago, she began running a beauty shop in the town. However, Chen was not satisfied with the "stable life." She wanted to do something to help residents in her home village live better lives.

In January 2021, Xianmagou's residents elected Chen secretary of the village's Party (Communist Party of China) branch. At that time, she faced various difficulties, such as the lack of capital, to develop the village's businesses, and lack of methods to help the villagers promote sales of their agricultural products. Undaunted, Chen never gave up on her dream of helping the villagers live better lives.

Chen Xiaoli [Xinhua/Zhang Cheng]

During the past two years, Chen has proven, through her behavior, that she is a trustworthy, responsible village official. For example, she has visited residents of Xianmagou, so she can see firsthand the villagers' needs, and the various difficulties they face. 

Chen has been using livestreaming platforms to broadcast the village's beautiful scenery, and its neighboring historical and cultural attractions, to help the villagers sell their specialty products. With her encouragement, the village has established a rural tourism cooperative. Chen has also encouraged villagers to work in the village's homestay hotels, or to establish hotels or restaurants (in their houses).

"I devote myself to promoting rural revitalization, not merely to fulfill my work commitments, but to realize my youthful dream," says Chen.

(Women of China English Monthly June 2023 issue)