Xinhua News Agency, Xi'an, January 5th. Title: Close-up: The picture of rural revitalization in the "Garden and Daba Council"

Xinhua News Agency reporters Chen Hongbing, Chen Chen, Wang Zehao

In the middle of winter, water drips into ice in Zhenba County, Shaanxi Province, deep in Daba Mountains. Starting from the county town, following the Shanxiang County Road, crossing three ridges, and then coming to Jiuzhenba Village, Changling Town.

Walking around a few ancient trees, my eyes suddenly became clear. In the middle of the dam of Jiuzhenba Village, several pots of fire were burning vigorously. More than 40 villagers sat in groups on benches chatting, and tea was rolling on the small table beside them, steaming hot.

"Come and warm up!" Changling Town Mayor Wang Dongmei pulled the reporters.

This is an ongoing "yard talks committee". At the end of the year, villagers sit around the dam, talking about changes, seeking development, and making suggestions, which is a ritual event.

On December 29, 2024, the "Yuanba Speaker" was held in Jiuzhenba Village, Changling Town, Zhenba County, Shaanxi Province. Photo by Sun Zhenghao, Xinhua News Agency reporter

Yan Meixiang, the village party secretary of Jiuzhenba Village, was straightforward and enthusiastically "sent papers" to the villagers: "When the courtyard meeting was held in 2023, some villagers reported that the water pipes would freeze when the sky was cold. In 2024, the county specially established a special project to solve this problem. Now, no matter how low the temperature is, water can flow into every household..."

The village has built 111 new street lights; the first village-level sewage treatment point in the county has been built...Yan Meixiang is quick to speak, and a series of happy events blurt out.

Jiuzhenba, according to legend, was named after Zhang Fei and Cao's army in the Three Kingdoms period. Over the past thousand years, the sun rises and the moon sets, and entering a new era, the ancient villages seem to have been pressed for the development of the "fast forward button".

"The village committees have done a great job this year!" 40-year-old villager Hao Yan snatched the conversation. "In the past, I worked in Shenzhen for many years. In 2024, I returned to the agricultural demonstration park to work. I earned 3,600 yuan a month and could still take care of the elderly and children." She couldn't hide her joy, "Isn't this what I sang in the song, and Is it a steady happiness!" The Changling Town Modern Agricultural Demonstration Park mentioned by Hao Yan was built in Jiuzhenba Village. In 2024, the park covering an area of ​​120 acres was fully put into operation, and 16 modern agricultural facilities such as flexible sunlight greenhouses rose to the ground, and more than 200 villagers came here to find employment. The dividend funds and other industries such as traditional Chinese medicinal materials have an annual collective income of more than 700,000 yuan, with an average household income of more than 3,000 yuan.

Changling Town Modern Agricultural Demonstration Park photographed on December 29, 2024. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Bowen

"Jiuzhenba looks the same every year!" The atmosphere is getting warmer, and 80-year-old party member Ding Defa stood up excitedly. "The place under our feet used to be a garbage dump, and we just stepped on the mud when we went out." With body language, he became more and more excited and walked to the center of the dam. "Now, 3 roads and 7 bridges lead to the village, and some people moved down from the mountain to enter the living room."

Following the direction of Ding Defa's finger, the garbage sorting and recycling pavilion was built at the entrance of the village, and solar street lights surrounded the dam. Next to the landscape surrounded by five willow trees, three or two children chased and played.

On the exterior wall of a farmer's house in Jiuzhenba Village, Changling Town, Zhenba County, Shaanxi Province, there are comparison photos of the rectification before and after the renovation. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Chen

Poetry and paintings are eye-catching on the cultural wall. Looking up, the green mountains are as dark as dark as the sky.

"If you want to talk about changes, it is definitely one that the doctor will become more and more convenient!" Li Jushan, a poverty-stricken household, brought the reporter's eyes back to his eyes with a few words. A few years ago, she had a heart valve surgery and reimbursed most of the surgery fees according to the policy. Nowadays, village doctors come to home for physical examinations regularly, and her health is getting better and better.

"Son just got married, just wait to hold your grandson!" Village doctor Fu Li joked, which attracted a burst of laughter.

The sun is getting higher and villagers come in with cigarette pots from time to time. You say something, I say something, the present and the past and the feelings. In the past year, everyone has smiled more and felt warmer.

As we spoke, everyone's topic also turned to future development.

"The protection of several rivers in the village has been in disrepair for many years. Let's see if it can be repaired in 2025?"

"Jiuzhenba is getting more and more beautiful, and we will work harder on rural tourism in the future."

"The village is getting older, and the issue of pension needs to be planned."

... Yan Meixiang listens and records, and the visions are vividly displayed on the paper.

"We will sort out one by one and include valuable opinions in the work plan in a timely manner." He responded with a loud voice, "I also want to tell you that in 2025, the village has planned 6 projects, including silk reeling factories, vegetable seedling bases, etc., so I'm waiting for everyone to do it together!" Before he finished speaking, the villagers spontaneously applauded.

The scene in front of Wang Dongmei made Wang Dongmei feel deeply moved. Since taking up her current position in June 2021, she has presided over 18 "yard talks" meetings, and the suggestions collected have promoted the implementation of more than 60 practical matters for people's livelihood. "The fact that rural revitalization can be today is also the result of the efforts of the villagers," she said.

On December 29, 2024, Wang Dongmei (front left) invited villagers to speak at the "Yuzhenba Village, Changling Town, Zhenba County, Shaanxi Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Zhenghao

Listen to the people's voices, gather wisdom and strength. In recent years, Zhenba County has held more than 800 "yard talks" in 181 administrative villages, with more than 100,000 participating people. Driven by this, the total number of petitions in the county has decreased for three consecutive years, and the satisfaction of the masses has increased significantly. Jiuzhenba Village has also been successfully rated as the third batch of national rural governance demonstration villages.

The tea is constantly and the fire is booming, and everyone is still not satisfied. The courtyard meeting is still continuing, and laughter and applause spread in the mountain village.

At noon, a warm sun shone through the clouds and sprinkled onto the newly repaired houses in the village. On the exterior wall, red lanterns and golden corn reflect the increasingly prosperous days.