STORY: University graduate contributes to hometown's rural revitalization in SW China
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 19, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 26, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:03
LOCATION: GUIYANG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
2. various of Ding Fang communicating with residents of Laoshankou Community
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TIAN ZHICHANG, Former Party chief of Laoshankou Community
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): XU MING'AI, Resident of Laoshankou Community
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province

STORYLINE

Ding Fang graduated from Yanbian University in 2013 with dual bachelor's degrees in Economics and Law and worked at a big company. 

At the end of 2021, a phone call from her hometown in southwest China's Guizhou Province convinced her to return.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
"I received a phone call from the then village Party chief, who told me the village was about to elect its new leadership."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TIAN ZHICHANG, Former Party chief of Laoshankou Community
"With how society is developing, there's a growing emphasis on knowledge and youth in leadership roles."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): XU MING'AI, Resident of Laoshankou Community
"Fellow villagers kept saying we should call Ding Fang -- she's a university graduate."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
"I said I was willing to come back and use my knowledge to contribute at the grassroots level. Without hesitation, I quit my job at a big company and returned home to join the election."

In 2021, Ding Fang was elected as Party chief of Laoshankou Community and head of its neighborhood committee.

However, not everyone was convinced of her capabilities at first.

To address the doubts, she actively listened to the community's needs, secured funding for projects, and repaired a major village road.

Her efforts won the trust of the villagers.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): DING FANG, Party chief of Laoshankou Community, Gaolouping Township, Tongren City, Guizhou Province
"I made up my mind to return to my hometown after I saw the progress of rural revitalization and the Western Development Strategy, during which my hometown had undergone significant changes. I wanted to be part of it and be a contributor. For us young people, it is an honor and also an opportunity.
Next, our focus in Laoshankou Community will be to grow our collective economy, upgrade our industries, and pave a broader path in social governance and cultural advancement. We aim to build Laoshankou into a thriving, harmonious village with prosperous industries, a livable environment, a gathering of talent, and a vibrant culture."

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