STORY: Hebei through foreign eyes: A Pakistani woman's happy life in rural China
SHOOTING TIME: June 15, 2024
DATELINE: June 26, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:22
LOCATION: SHIJIAZHUANG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Saira Akhtar in Dongzhoupu Village, Shenzhou City, north China's Hebei Province
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei
3. various of Saira Akhtar and her family
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei
5. various of Saira Akhtar and her family
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei

STORYLINE:

31-year-old Saira Akhtar from Pakistan is managing a family peach orchard with her husband in Dongzhoupu Village, Shenzhou City, north China's Hebei Province.

Since her family came to China in 2018, Saira has gradually learned the knowledge and skills to manage an orchard.

Now, the couple have a lovely daughter and a thriving orchard of more than 300 peach trees.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei
"My husband, my family in China have a lot of peach trees. We hope the income will be good this year."

Over the years, she has also witnessed a lot of changes in her village and enjoyed a cozy life here.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei
"The roads are better and cleaner. We now use natural gas to cook and keep the house warm in winter. People buy things online. Food, clothes, toys can be all delivered to the village."

Saira's happiest moments come when she is with her daughter. Saira enjoys her family life and has fully adapted to living in rural China.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SAIRA AKHTAR, Pakistani woman living in China's Hebei
"My child is at a kindergarten in a nearby village. School bus comes and picks her up every day. It's safe and fast. I believe my daughter and I will have a bright future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shijiazhuang, China.
(XHTV)