China's media watchdog has approved a TV series featuring stories on farmers and the "educated youth" in the 1970s in Liangjiahe village, Shaanxi Province, where Chinese President Xi Jinping spent seven years in his youth.
The Shaanxi Liangjiahe Cultural Tourism Company said in a statement on Wednesday that the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television approved its proposal to shoot the 45-episode TV series, Liangjiahe.
According to the statement, renowned Chinese writer Wen Haojie will provide the screenplay.
According to the statement, Liangjiahe tells touching stories of farmers and "educated youth," also known as zhiqing, who were relocated to the village from towns and cities between the 1950s and 1970s.
By describing their tough experiences during that time, the series aims to showcase their hardworking nature and spirit.
Xi, along with first lady Peng Liyuan, visited the village in February and told villagers that he felt excited to return.
"I came to Liangjiahe in January 1969 and spent seven years here. Although I left the village, I left my heart with you all," Xi said.
Xi, together with millions of zhiqing, was "sent down" from urban areas to live and work in remote areas as part of the "Up to the Mountain and Down to the Countryside" movement initiated by then Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
While in Liangjiahe, Xi joined the Party in 1974 and led the local production team, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
"We have yet to receive more information about the TV series from the production company," the village head surnamed Gong told the Global Times.
He added that creating a TV series about their village will help spread their history, culture and spirit.
