Zhan Zhiqi is pictured in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Before traveling to Beijing in early March, Zhan Zhiqi kept busy visiting his fellow villagers to collect their problems and suggestions about rural life.

As a new deputy from Hubei province to the 14th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, Zhan hopes to bring his investigation results focusing on agriculture, rural areas, farmers and rural vitalization to the ongoing annual sessions of the NPC in Beijing.

Over the years, Zhan, chairman of the village committee of Tongshan village in Hubei's Ezhou city, has been striving to lead his fellow villagers to improve their living environment and incomes, which greatly enhanced their happiness.

In 2009, Zhan quit his job in the city and returned to his hometown.