A resident sells locally produced TCM products via a livestream broadcast from Tanchang in September. FAN PEIKUN/XINHUA
New lives
After being relocated to a three-bedroom apartment, Yang, the former Shanbei resident, saw a business opportunity for freight transportation that emerged as industrial development continued in the villages.
With a government loan of 50,000 yuan, he bought a truck. He makes a profit of 50,000 to 60,000 yuan a year from his transportation business, which has been operating since 2017.
The villagers paid just over 2,000 yuan each for their new apartments, the residents said.
Cai, the Party chief, said the government donated TV sets and some furniture, including sofas and beds.
"The villagers could move in with just the luggage they carried," he said.
Chong Shicheng, another former Shanbei resident, said he never imagined that his family of seven would move into a spacious five-bedroom apartment.
He had longed for such a place for years after visiting a relative who had bought an apartment in an urban area.
In addition to the improvement in living conditions and the rise in incomes, the 40-year-old noted an exciting change that has come as a result of the relocation program.
"It was hard for young men from our village to find wives. Sometimes, over three or even five years, not even one man managed to get married. Matchmakers were usually declined if women knew they were introducing men from our village," he said.
As far as he is aware, at least seven men from Shanbei have married since they were relocated in 2018.
"The change has been huge," he said with a smile.
He said the best change for him, though, is that his children no longer need to tramp to school in the mountainous area. Their new school is just minutes away by foot.
He usually makes a living as a construction worker. Instead of leaving his hometown as he did before relocation, Chong chose to work in the county seat and pick up odd jobs. He said he wants to spend more time with his daughter, who will take the national college entrance examination next year.
"I want her to be admitted to a good university, and I hope she will not lead a tiring life like we did as migrant workers," he said.
