How a struggling Chinese village turned poverty into prosperity in years
A small village at the western foot of the Wuyi Mountains has transformed its economy in just a few years. Once struggling with an annual collective income below 50,000 yuan, it now serves as a model for rural growth across Fujian Province. The change began in 2018 when the village partnered with Sunner Group to launch a logistics company and later a meat processing plant. In 2018, the village's finances were weak, with collective earnings under 50,000 yuan ($6,900). That same year, it teamed up with Sunner Group to create a collective logistics firm. By 2019, the village's income had surged past 2 million yuan, earning it recognition as a provincial model for rural revitalisation.
The next step came in 2020 with the opening of a meat processing plant. Villagers first trained at Sunner Group before working at the facility. Monthly wages soon rose above 4,000 yuan, lifting local living standards. The success inspired Guangze County to expand the model. By early 2026, every town and township had its own 'common prosperity factory,' often run through partnerships between government, village collectives, and private firms. Across the county, 128 such factories now support jobs and reduce poverty through shared production.
The village's shift from poverty to prosperity has reshaped Guangze County's economy. Factories like the meat processing plant now operate in every township, offering stable work and higher incomes. The cooperative approach continues to drive rural employment and development in the region.
