On the morning of July 3, Liu Yuegao, Secretary of the Hengyang Municipal Party Committee, visited Qidong County to conduct field research on consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation and effectively linking them with rural revitalization. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly studying and earnestly applying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers (“Sannong”), always keeping in mind the pressing concerns and expectations of the people. He called for laying a solid foundation for development through industrial revitalization, consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation achievements with precise measures, reinforcing the bottom line of people’s livelihood with pragmatic actions, and meticulously advancing all aspects of effective alignment to write a new chapter in rural revitalization.

Liu first visited the 10,000-mu (about 6.67 square kilometers ) camellia oleifera (oil-tea camellia) plantation base in Baisongting Village, Baidishi Town, where he inspected industrial assistance projects and carried out forest patrols. On site, he examined the growth of the camellia trees in detail, inquired about the mechanisms for enterprises to engage and benefit local farmers, job creation, income increases, and the difficulties faced in these efforts. Upon learning that, as a provincial demonstration base, the project had played a significant role in supporting poverty alleviation households to increase their income, but its effectiveness was currently constrained by management, funding, technology, and low-yielding plant varieties, Liu pointed out that industrial assistance is a key pillar for consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation outcomes and advancing rural revitalization. He called for in-depth analysis of root causes and targeted solutions, supporting enterprises in optimizing the variety structure of camellia trees, intensifying efforts to transform low-yield plantations, and proactively coordinating to resolve funding and technical bottlenecks. He stressed further improving management and maintenance standards to truly make camellia trees a “money tree” that enriches the people. He also underscored the need to implement the forest chief system in earnest, build a strong forest fire prevention line of defense, and steadily improve the level of forest resource protection and development.

At the centralized resettlement site for relocated poverty alleviation households in Maduqiao Village, Maduqiao Township, Liu carefully examined the quality of housing and the surrounding environment. He visited the home of Lv Xiangxiu, an 80-year-old relocated resident, warmly inquiring about her household living conditions, sources of income, and policy benefits. He also learned on site about the setup of public welfare positions and how the issue of relocated residents “commuting between two places” had been addressed. Liu emphasized the need to continue dynamic monitoring of the living conditions of relocated households to ensure their housing is safe and of reliable quality. He urged precise implementation of all assistance policies, active cultivation of supporting industries, and broadening channels for employment and income generation. He further called for optimizing grassroots government services to genuinely enhance the people’s sense of gain and satisfaction.

In Heping Village, Fengshiyan Town, Liu focused on the situation of safe drinking water provision. The village is located at the core of the Hengyang-Shaoyang arid corridor and faces prominent seasonal water shortages. Liu listened attentively to reports on the causes and scope of water scarcity. He stressed that drinking water safety is the most fundamental livelihood need and a baseline requirement for consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation results. Relevant departments, he said, must actively study solutions, combine long-term and short-term measures, mobilize funds through multiple channels, and encourage public participation to ensure that residents can access safe and reliable drinking water as soon as possible.

Municipal leaders Chen Peng and Hu Guoxiong accompanied the research visit.

Translator: Jing