Vitalizing rural areas through partnership

At Longwan Lake rural vitalization demonstration area in Sishui county, Jining, Shandong province, visitors wander the village paths during the summer break. Nestled among the greenery are art galleries, a music hall, folk museums, workshops and rustic homestays where visitors can unwind and soak in the local charm.

It's hard for many to imagine that years ago, this area was an impoverished community, with many dilapidated houses and roads narrow and muddy, seldom visited by outsiders.

The demonstration area of 18 villages has undergone a remarkable transformation during the past decade to become a thriving tourism destination.

Last year, the area attracted over 300,000 visitors, generating a total revenue of 30 million yuan ($4.21 million), according to the county government.

This success story is an example of a partnership development model spearheaded by Shandong province.

The model's core objective is to connect talented people, including entrepreneurs, experts, scholars and artists to develop rural industrial projects, making full use of underutilized rural resources and incubating new agricultural, cultural and tourism projects.

Under this model, local government authorities provide support in terms of land usage and the development of rural infrastructure like water facilities, sewage systems, waste management and 5G coverage.

Collaborating partners bring essential elements lacking in rural areas, such as capital and technology, to foster diverse and vibrant rural industries. They engage in entrepreneurial endeavors utilizing rural resources through leasing or profit-sharing arrangements.

To date, the province has collaborated with 702 rural vitalization partners, implementing 548 projects and creating employment opportunities for over 36,000 people, according to Shandong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security.

In July, the province unveiled 1,280 new rural projects to attract potential partners, spanning sectors such as agricultural and forestry production, the primary processing of agricultural goods and tourism ventures.