Shared Tables, Shared Prosperity: 500-Person Reunion Dinner Mirrors Rural Revitalization in Chongqing

Chongqing - As the Lanterns lit up and festive decorations adorned the streets, Qiaotou Town in Chongqing Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County welcomed an early celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Villagers, local government officials, and private entrepreneurs gathered for a grand reunion dinner, sharing more than just food—they shared stories of growth and prosperity.

This annual event, themed “Celebrate the New Year Together in Qiaotou,” has become a tradition for bridging connections between local communities and private enterprises. Yan Qi, Chairwoman of Chongqing Taoranju Group, has attended the event for three consecutive years. “Inviting everyone to celebrate in Qiaotou allows our closest friends and supporters to witness firsthand the remarkable transformation of this town,” Yan shared.

A transformation driven by collaboration

Three years ago, Qiaotou welcomed its first private enterprise. Today, 62 businesses actively engage in rural revitalization projects, driving economic and social development. This rapid growth stems from the combined efforts of government support, dedicated entrepreneurs, and resilient villagers.

The reunion dinner used a “shared table” setup, bringing entrepreneurs and officials together to encourage open dialogue. “This setup fosters collaboration, allowing entrepreneurs to share insights, discuss partnerships, and address challenges,” said Wang Dong, Party Secretary of Qiaotou Town.

A key example was the discussion between Tang Hongwei, Chairman of Tianlai Education Group, and Tan Xinsheng, Director of the standing committee of the local people’s congress. Tang highlighted the village art sketching base, a joint venture with village collectives and state-owned platforms launched in September 2023 and has hosted over 60,000 visitors since then.

Tang expressed confidence in expanding by combining sketching with homestays, tourism, agriculture, and education. “We aim to build a comprehensive rural art industry chain, covering sketching, training, study tours, culture, dining, lodging, and art auctions,” he said.

Tan Xinsheng praised the progress and vowed to share Tang’s plans with relevant departments. “We will keep supporting entrepreneurs and make Qiaotou a top investment destination and rural tourism landmark,” he said.

Villagers embrace new opportunities

Qiaotou’s transformation is most evident in the lives of its villagers. Lifelong resident Tan Qingying vividly recalls the town’s past struggles. Despite its natural beauty, Qiaotou was once overlooked, and even its 10,000-mu (about 667 hectares) plum industry struggled due to poor management. “Only the elderly and children remained, and we just got by each day,” Tan reflected.

That changed in 2022 when Yan Qi encouraged Tan to convert her home into a homestay. Initially hesitant due to financial constraints and inexperience, Tan was reassured by Yan’s support. Taoranju Group provided essentials—from bedding to toiletries—and professional training, transforming Tan from a novice into a competent host.

By April 2023, Tan’s renovated home, now named Guanhu Xiaozhu (Lakeview Cottage), was open for business, generating additional income for her. Tan’s story mirrors that of many in Qiaotou. In 2024, 62 private enterprises invested in rural art sketching, boutique homestays, tourism, and specialty product processing, directly benefiting 6,273 locals and ensuring every farming household received targeted support.

The power of public-private partnerships

Qiaotou’s revival is a testament to Chongqing’s broader “Enterprises Revitalize Villages” initiative, which pairs local needs with corporate capabilities. Historically, weak investment hindered Qiaotou’s development. To counter this, the town adopted a collaborative model: the government develops infrastructure, enterprises invest and operate, collectives earn dividends, and villagers participate for shared prosperity.

This innovative approach attracted 62 enterprises, resulting in a total investment of over 150 million yuan (about 20.5 million U.S. dollars). Projects led by Taoranju Group include the Guobin Banshan homestay, a digital rural smart hotel, fruit wine workshops, cultural squares, and agricultural processing. Yan Qi believes these ventures are now on track for sustainable growth.

Other entrepreneurs have also found success. Liu Xiaobo, owner of Zaibie Kangqiao homestay, transformed traditional farmhouses into a modern lodging and cultural complex. In 2024, the homestay welcomed 50,000 visitors and generated over 1.5 million yuan in revenue. Encouraged by Qiaotou’s momentum, entrepreneur are increasing their investments, turning scenic landscapes into profitable ventures.

With thriving industries, supportive governance, and empowered villagers, the vision of a prosperous Qiaotou is steadily becoming a reality.

(Zhou You, Qi Lansen, reporters from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)