Ye also underscored the need to protect the environment in Xiadang, which has a forest coverage rate of 81 percent. "Poverty reduction cannot come at the cost of sacrificing the environment," he said.
Meanwhile, the township is also seeing an increase in tourist arrivals, which has diversified revenue channels for farmers.
Last year, Xiadang welcomed more than 150,000 tourists, and the number is expected to rise this year.
Wang Guangchao, like many other villagers, has taken the opportunity to open a teahouse, which is visited by dozens of customers each day. The influx of tourists has also boosted sales of tea products from his farms, he said.
Ye said he is confident that with the development of the tourism sector and improvement in infrastructure, increasing numbers of people will return to the township for work.
Lin, the official, said the authorities will further refine healthcare policies to prevent families falling below the poverty line due to illness.
He said another crucial measure is to shore up the growth of industries that can raise the incomes of poor families.
"We will continue to adopt all the measures at our disposal to bolster the incomes of poor families. Lifting them above the poverty line was only the first step. The next goal, as outlined by General Secretary Xi, is to make sure that they can live decent lives."
