Various kinds of Xixiang agro-products are displayed at the goods shelves in a specialty store in Qidong. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Qidong, a county-level city administered by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, established a pairing-assistance relationship with Xixiang county – under the jurisdiction of Hanzhong in Northwest China's Shaanxi province – in April 2017, to help the county get out of poverty.

In December 2020, a specialty store was opened on Ziwei West Road to boost the consumption of Xixiang agro-products. On Jan 13, the store has been moved to Renmin Road.

According to statistics, over 100 kinds of Xixiang agro-products worth more than 14 million yuan ($2.2 million) were sold to Qidong last year.

The introduction of Xixiang agricultural products enriched Qidong citizens' choices of food supplies. Fresh food, grain and oil, mushrooms, agaric and other agricultural specialties gained popularity in Qidong, according to Wang Yuzhi, who is in charge of the specialty store.

This year, online sales channels for Xixiang agro-products were added, making it easier for Qidong locals to buy them.