Sun Yonghong is one of the older generation living in Huaxi village to have direct experience on its development. [Photo/wxrb.com]
Sun Yonghong, a resident of Huaxi village in Jiangyin city, Wuxi, still vividly remembers his childhood days of living in a rundown thatch house.
Life back then was tough as his family struggled to make ends meet. But the situation finally changed for the better when Wu Renbao, the former Party secretary of Huaxi, lifted villagers out of poverty and into better homes following the launch of China's reform measures and opening-up policies.
Wu Renbao (left), former Party secretary of Huaxi village, introduces a rundown thatch house to visitors. [Photo/wxrb.com]
Courtesy of China's efforts in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Huaxi became the first village in Jiangsu to be named a "100 million yuan ($14 million) village" in 1988. Just three years later, the village was transformed into a vibrant area that housed more than 20 enterprises with businesses worth 500 million yuan.
For the past few decades, Huaxi has been dubbed as the wealthiest village in the country. Last year, the average annual personal income in the village stood at 90,500 yuan. It was just 220 yuan in 1978.
Huaxi is presently a thriving commercial zone with diversified business and investment in manufacturing, mining, finance, metallurgy, textiles, tourism, marine industry, new energy, high-technology and modern agriculture. Village officials have also been pursuing green development by accelerating supply-side structural reform and promoting high-quality development.
A culture and event center is built in Huaxi village. [Photo/wxrb.com]
The village has been helping other rural towns to achieve the kind of success it has. Every year, Huaxi spends over 100 million yuan to share their experience in industrial development with their peers from less developed areas.
"Huaxi will continue to strive to achieve steady development of the economy and society, and provide our villagers with a high quality life," said Wu Xie'en, the village's Party secretary.
