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Liu Weijian is the Party secretary of Pingyuanchi village in Rugao Economic and Technological Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: RGETDZ]

Liu Weijian, Party secretary of Pingyuanchi village in Rugao Economic and Technological Development Zone, has been devoted to the cause of rural rejuvenation and has made a great difference to the village's development.

Seven years ago, Pingyuanchi village was an impoverished village with roads in disrepair and rivers blocked. The environment was squalid and many young residents left the village to seek work elsewhere, Liu recalled.

Since 2013, when Liu started his tenure as Party secretary of Pingyuanchi village, he has been making efforts to utilize local agricultural resources and increase investment in developing its tourism industry. His efforts have paid off as the village has now become a popular tourist destination with its lotus ponds, flower gardens, museums, and numerous other attractions.

Visitors enjoy the views of a lotus pond in Pingyuanchi village. [Photo/WeChat account: RGETDZ]

Local residents have also benefited from the village's development, with the annual income per capita growing to 31,000 yuan ($4,860.40) from 18,000 yuan in 2014. Villagers can now make money by selling agricultural products like tea, lotus roots, and bonsai.

To prepare for this year's lotus festival and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the village has introduced 100 species of lotus flowers and planted them in 100 ponds that are shaped like lotus flowers, said Liu.

The village also plans to start the construction of a hot springs resort and a water park during the second half of this year, according to Liu. He added that he hopes to build the place into a 4A-level tourist site within three years to attract more visitors and increase the incomes of villagers.