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A Journey to Xiajiang Village: A Model for Rural Revitalization in China
A Journey to Xiajiang Village: A Model for Rural Revitalization in China
BY AUGUSTINE WEREUCHE PRAISE
(Nigeria), Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
In the heart of China lies Xia jiang Village, a once remote and economically disadvantaged area now undergoing significant transformation. As a student of Communication Engineering here in China, I had the privilege of visiting this village as part of a school trip to explore the ongoing modernization efforts, the development of local infrastructure, and how the village is transitioning from poverty to prosperity.
From Rural Hardship to Economic Growth
Xiajiang Village, located in the outskirts of Hangzhou, was once a representation of rural poverty and isolation. For many years, the villagers struggled with limited access to basic necessities, education, and healthcare. Much like other remote areas in China, Xiajiang faced challenges in transportation, employment opportunities, and quality of life. The government of China, in its bid to address these inequalities, introduced policies aimed at eradicating poverty and improving living standards in rural areas. In 2015, Xiajiang Village became part of a larger initiative under the “Poverty Alleviation Campaign”, which aimed to lift 10 million people out of poverty by 2020.
Through these efforts, the Chinese government provided financial assistance, infrastructure development, and access to education and healthcare, allowing rural communities to build more self-sustaining environments. The focus has shifted from mere survival to promoting local culture, tourism, and long-term economic growth. My visit to the village was a unique opportunity to see this transformation in action and to understand how far it has come in a relatively short period.
Modernization Efforts
Upon arrival in Xiajiang Village, I was immediately struck by the visible signs of modernization. The once dusty roads were now smooth, paved highways that connected the village to surrounding towns and cities. As our group toured the village, we witnessed the construction of new housing complexes designed to accommodate both the locals and tourists, offering modern amenities while preserving the traditional architectural style of the village. This blend of old and new is a hallmark of the modernization efforts that have taken place here.
One of the most impressive changes was the development of the tourism sector. Xiajiang Village, once a forgotten corner of China, is now actively promoted as a tourist attraction. The government has invested heavily in building attractions that showcase the village’s rich cultural heritage. As part of the modernization, cultural festivals, local handicraft markets, and wine shops have become integral parts of the village’s offerings, attracting visitors from across China and beyond.
The introduction of green technology and sustainable agricultural practices has also played a key role in transforming the village. The once underdeveloped land is now being cultivated with the help of innovative farming techniques that improve yield and reduce environmental impact. Locals are trained in these new methods, empowering them with the skills necessary to sustain their livelihoods in a modern economy.
Community and Cultural Impact
While modernization has brought substantial physical and economic changes to Xiajiang Village, it has also impacted the culture and community dynamics. One of the most profound changes I noticed during my visit was the shift in the villagers’ mindset. The younger generation, especially, has embraced the opportunities offered by education and the tourism industry. Many young villagers have returned to their homes from cities with new ideas, skills, and business practices, contributing to the village’s growth.
The villagers’ culture, however, has not been lost in this transformation. The integration of modernity with tradition is carefully managed to ensure that Xiajiang’s unique cultural identity remains intact. The local community maintains strong ties to its traditional agricultural practices, folk art, and festivals. During our visit, we were invited to have a taste of some of the local wines, most of the wine stores had a lot of rich history, the stores were beautifully decorated helping visitors connect with the village’s heritage.
Economic Development and Opportunities
The economic impact of these changes has been profound. Xiajiang Village’s integration into the modern economy is a model of success in poverty alleviation. The government’s investments have enabled the creation of jobs in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and local handicrafts. The burgeoning tourism industry has provided locals with new revenue streams and opportunities for entrepreneurship. In addition to traditional farming, villagers now have opportunities to work in hotels, restaurants, and as guides, contributing to both the local and national economy.
Education has also played a pivotal role in the transformation of Xiajiang Village. In addition to building infrastructure, the government has focused on improving education in the region, creating a highly skilled workforce for the future. Schools and vocational training programs have empowered the younger generation to participate in the economic growth of the region and pursue careers beyond traditional agriculture.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While the transformation of Xiajiang Village is commendable, challenges remain. The rapid pace of modernization has led to concerns about the environmental impact of new developments, particularly in relation to the preservation of local ecosystems. Additionally, as the village becomes more integrated into the national tourism network, there is a need for careful management of resources to ensure that the village’s cultural identity is maintained, and that it does not become overwhelmed by commercialization.
Looking ahead, the future of Xiajiang Village appears bright. The balance between development and preservation will be key to the village’s long-term sustainability. Continued investment in education, green technology, and sustainable tourism will ensure that Xiajiang Village thrives as a vibrant community while maintaining its rich cultural heritage.
Conclusion
My visit to Xiajiang Village was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to witness firsthand the positive impact of China’s poverty alleviation initiatives. The village has transformed from a remote, impoverished area into a modern, thriving community, blending traditional culture with new economic opportunities. The experience underscored the importance of thoughtful and sustainable development, as well as the power of education and community engagement in breaking the cycle of poverty. Xiajiang Village is a testament to the potential of rural revitalization efforts and a beacon of hope for other regions in China and around the world.
A Journey to Xiajiang Village: A Model for Rural Revitalization in China
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), conducted a successful Air Interdiction (AI) mission at a terrorists’ hideout in the Southern Tumbuns general area in the Lake Chad of Borno, killing scores of the terrorists.
Intelligent sources told Zagazola Makama that the precision air strike, which took place at about 2100 hours on 5 May 2025, targeted a major terrorists’ concentration camp located in the Tumbuma Baba axis of Lake Chad.
The sources said that the offensive was in continuation of a decisive Operation KALACHEN WUTA II, aimed at denying terrorists the freedom to execute large-scale attacks during the Eid el-Kabir period.
The sources said that Intelligence and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reports confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the strike, and key logistics under heavy foliage were destroyed.
The sources said that the strikes followed credible intelligence on planned coordinated attacks by the insurgents before, during, and after the Eid festivities. The mission was meticulously planned and executed to forestall such threats and sustain pressure on terrorist elements operating in the Lake Chad fringes.
“We observed significant secondary explosions, indicating the presence of arms and fuel storage. Multiple terrorists were seen fleeing the area, while several others were eliminated during the strike,” the source said.
The sources said efforts are ongoing to gather further feedback, as well as to assess the operational impact of the interdiction.
He added that preliminary signs suggest a high level of disarray and panic within the terrorists’ ranks, with reports of attempted regrouping under surveillance.
Airstrike Hits ISWAP Enclave in Tumbuma Baba, scores Nutrialised
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have executed a coordinated strike on a major terrorist enclave located at Maisani in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State, killing several ISWAP terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air interdiction mission conducted on May 4, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, was informed by credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, targeted terrorists’ structures cleverly concealed and camouflaged under thick shrubs in the area.
The sources said that using advanced platforms, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a focused Air Interdiction (AI) mission, resulting in the destruction of the identified enemy hideouts and the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of insurgent fighters.
According to the sources, Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) obtained from our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms confirmed that the airstrike achieved its intended objectives, dealing a significant blow to terrorists.
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting
By: Michael Mike
As the world marks the 2025 Environment Day, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has appealed to the World Bank for support on capacity building, data and in addressing the challenges poised by Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) in the country.
Head of Department, National Accounts Energy and Environment at the NBS, Dr. Baba Madu made the appeal at the 2025 Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Conference on Thursday in Abuja with support from the World Bank in. collaboration with the NBS and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Madu while noting that the NCA was a new area Nigeria must exploit to further boost the nation’s economy, said for Nigeria to grow and be at par with other developed nations, there was need to account for her natural resources.
He said: “NCA has been tasked with the crucial role of integrating natural capital into economic measurement. It is impossible to measure the economy accurately without accounting for natural resources. Issues such as environmental degradation, afforestation, desertification, and climate change all directly impact productivity.
“Productivity in turn, influences output—one of the core components of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These environmental factors must be reflected across all economic activity sectors to present a more accurate picture of national output.”
While stating that Nigeria currently has data on NCA in Nigeria, the NBS official however raised concerns over the huge data gap from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the environment sector.
He said: “We are not doing badly but we need to improve on what we are doing. In terms of data sources, I can tell you there’s a big gap because these are new areas needed to be exploited.”
Programme Leader on Sustainable Development at the World Bank, Vina Vutukuru, said there was need to jointly
explore the vital role of national accounting in national development plans and to brainstorm on how Nigeria could institutionalize it.
He said: “Establishing the national capital accounting as part of the national account system will allow us to measure the economic value of ecosystem services such as clean air, water and biodiversity which are essential for our well-being and economic prosperity.”
Vutukuru commended Nigeria for having “very bold ambitions” as far as responding to climate change was concerned saying, “That shows the commitment of the policy makers here towards the issue of climate.
“But I think to back up that aspiration and the aggressive goals that Nigeria has set for itself, the foundational thing for those goals to materialize those objectives to come true is a very strong natural account system.”
Head of Media, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Chioma Azie who represented her Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe at the event, described Nigeria as a very ambitious country, stressing that natural resources was instrumental to achieving all the objective of climate action.
She said: “Technology, policy reforms, behavioral changes has a role to play but natural resources is very key because they’re underpinning the mitigation and adaptation for climate action.
“If you look at Nigeria’s NDC, the NCA is an avenue to provide raw materials that we could use to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.
“If you look at what we have done in terms of this NDC in 2020.which is the second leg of the NDC, we identified a lot of mitigation activities within this mentioned sectors of ours. In agricultural sector we talked about smart agriculture. What is smart agriculture without natural resources?
“We talked about biomass, what is biomass without natural resources? We also spoke about land use changes and that is natural resources, we talk about natural solutions and we talked about also afforestation, reafforestation. Those are mitigation potentials of our NDC. So, we cannot achieve our NDC without SEEA.
“What you cannot be able to account for is recorded as if it is not done so if we know what is existing in terms of the reservoirs we have for natural resources, it can inform the scope of the mitigation activities we’re going to be imputing in the NDC 3.0,” she said.
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