Yu Shaorong, Party secretary of Wuxing village in Leigu township of Beichuan Qiang autonomous county, Southwest China's Sichuan province, is a trailblazing figure in local community.

Born and raised in a rural setting, Yu has dedicated herself to grassroots work, embodying a deep bond with and unwavering commitment to the people she serves.

Yu's journey with Wuxing village began in 1997 when, at the age of 24, she moved to the village after getting married. Initially focusing on her family's modest plot of land, Yu's resilience, clarity of thought, and diligent work ethic caught the attention of the village Party committee. In 2001, she was elected as a cadre in the village, marking the beginning of her efforts to serve her fellow villagers.

Yu Shaorong, Party secretary of Wuxing village in Leigu township of Beichuan Qiang autonomous county, Southwest China's Sichuan province, chats with her fellow villagers. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Realizing the potential of the Chinese medicinal herb industry, particularly the cultivation of Huanglian, or Coptis, Yu embarked on a mission to boost the village's economy and increase the villagers' income.

However, her initial efforts faced skepticism from the villagers, as previous attempts at scattered Huanglian cultivation yielded inconsistent quality and limited economic returns. Determined to set an example, Yu took the lead with some other village cadres in planting the herb, which later led to the establishment of a specialized cooperative for Huanglian cultivation.

Through a model integrating the Party committee, the cooperative, and farmers, Huanglian cultivation in the village grew into a significant industry, playing a key role in poverty alleviation.

Thanks to the collective efforts, the village witnessed significant progress in Huanglian cultivation, ultimately leading to the poverty elimination in the whole village in 2016. Today, the village boasts over 3,000 mu (around 200 hectares) of Huanglian fields, generating an annual output value of approximately one million yuan ($137,700).

"In 2023, the market price of Huanglian hit a new high, with the highest selling price in our village reaching 340 yuan per kilogram. The bitter Huanglian has truly brought sweet prosperity to the village," Yu said.

Beyond Huanglian, Yu set her sights on broader village development upon assuming the role of the village's Party chief in 2018. Prioritizing public infrastructure and environmental improvements, she spearheaded initiatives to renovate rural roads and improve farmers' living conditions, recognizing their pivotal role in rural vitalization.

Driven by the practical needs of the villagers, Yu initiated waste management programs, water safety projects, and rural electrification upgrades. She also oversaw the establishment of cultural facilities such as a cultural square and a library, enriching the village's social fabric.

Realizing that sustainable industry forms the bedrock of rural vitalization, Yu explored new methods to maximize the village's resources. During her field research, she discovered that some companies were engaged in the deep processing of Baiji (Bletilla striata), another medicinal herb, she swiftly initiated partnerships to introduce Baiji cultivation in Wuxing village, diversifying income sources and fostering downstream industries like cosmetics.

Currently, Wuxing village is constructing multi-tiered vegetable breeding greenhouses. Yu envisions this initiative not only boosting collective economic growth but also increasing individual incomes, positioning the village as a model for technology-driven rural vitalization.

"In the future, we also plan to focus on cultivating vegetable and traditional Chinese medicine seedlings to establish a high-tech agricultural research base," she said.

Yu Shaorong, Party secretary of Wuxing village in Leigu township of Beichuan Qiang autonomous county, Southwest China's Sichuan province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), poses for a photo when she attends an NPC session in Beijing. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

As a committed deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), Yu remains committed to addressing local people' concerns. The monthly public reception day is a fixed schedule for her to better understand their needs and opinions.

Learning of her fellow villagers' concerns about medical insurance premiums, she submitted suggestions to the second session of the 14th NPC in March this year, calling for the adjustment of the medical insurance payment mechanism to appropriately adjust the annual contribution based on the growth of medical expenses and the local economic conditions.

She also advocated exploring a continuous premium payment mechanism to introduce preferential policies for continuous insurance participation, and appropriately increase the reimbursement ratio for the population with continuous insurance coverage.

"As the Party chief of the village, my duty is to serve the villagers well and guide them towards a better life. As an NPC deputy, my responsibilities extend beyond the development of my own village; I must pay attention to broader fields and make the voices of more people heard,” she said.

Shu Ying contributed to this story. 

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