Beijing has thrown its support behind rural revitalisation, with policies that help divert urban youth into work to boost agricultural innovation, education and community development in the countryside.
Some of them are returning to the small towns they once left to study and work in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
Cao Binyang, who grew up near Tieniu village, Sichuan province, came back in 2021. Together with other returnees and their mothers, he took over an orange farm and added a restaurant and a shop to complete their farm-to-table concept.
Over the past five years, there have been 75 new residents — migrants to the village, most of whom have been graduates under the age of 35.
Through social media, Tieniu village has become popular among tourists too. And farmers are using this boost in exposure to sell their produce across the country at a higher price point on e-commerce platforms.
