Sishui's 'rural vitalization partners' model fosters rural renewal

In recent years, Sishui county in Jining has implemented the "rural vitalization partners" model, which encourages entrepreneurs, business magnates, scholars, and other professionals to invest in their hometowns.

Tian Bin, creator of Leisure Valley Art Granary, noted that the model's effectiveness, shared interests, shared risks, and collective growth led to business expansion. For Bin, the Longwan Lake location and the like-minded partners made the decision to invest seamless.

Leisure Valley Art town, an incubator for the rural vitalization industry that was established in Jiashantou village, has renovated a previously deserted 1960s granary and its adjoining structures. The town has also drawn in cultural and creative teams that have injected new life and social capital into the rural area.

Jiashantou has transformed into a sought-after leisure spot, where guesthouses and cultural souvenirs have emerged. In 2022 alone, the village attracted 200,000 tourists, generating over 60 million yuan ($8.4 million) in revenue and creating more than 500 jobs.

Dongzhongdu village is another testament to the model's success. Since 2018, the village has seen an inflow of over 30 individuals and 10 institutional partners that include notable artists, industry leaders, and cultural heritage preservers, in addition to renowned universities and private enterprises. Among these arrivals is a branch station of Tsinghua University’s rural vitalization project.

Shen Zhen, a doctoral student at Tsinghua University, proclaimed that the station is a hub for amalgamating talents and resources. Students, faculty, and alumni from Tsinghua University and other universities gather at the station to collaborate, harness local resources, and devise strategies for rural growth. This encompasses areas such as industrial planning, creative product development, landscape conversion, and resource utilization.