"I studied at a university in Guangzhou from 1977 to 1982, during which time I visited Qingyuan several times. Now, I have come to observe the changes that have occurred here, and I'm really impressed by what I have seen," said Zafar Uddin Mahmood, former Pakistani Special Envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Go Guangdong Tour, a project aimed at connecting global partners with the industries, culture, and lifestyle of Guangdong, took place from December 5 to 7. This event welcomed over 20 scholars and journalists from various countries to Qingyuan City, where they explored the vibrancy of modern agriculture and the allure of the Yao Ethnic Group.
Green development helps improve people's livelihood
"It's my first time visiting this factory. I heard they can produce one motorcycle in just 30 seconds, which is highly efficient. We saw the production line, which reflects that the quality control is impressive," Mahmood said after a tour at Guangdong Yadea Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd.
Located in Fogang, it is the largest electric vehicle production base in South China.
Yadea has attracted 22 leading electric vehicle spare parts companies to Fogang, contributing to an industrial output value of 8.076 billion yuan in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 28.9%. The industry development has also attracted more and more young people to return home to work.
Mahmood saw the potential for collaboration with Pakistan, where motorcycles are the primary mode of transportation, and suggested promoting electric bikes to protect the environment in his country.
The tour members also visited Shuitou Town's newly built healthcare center, an example of China's paired assistance strategy for poverty alleviation. John Mark Fetalco, reporter for CMG-Filipino, marveled at the affordable medical services, saying, "The registration fee here is only 10 yuan, equivalent to 80 pesos. It's very cheap!"
Nearby, on a hillside, the Shuitou photovoltaic power generation base captured the attention of scholars and journalists. "They combine everything here. Under the panels is agricultural land. Many tourists also come here for tourism activities. I learned a lot, especially how the system operates and how the government focuses on renewable energy," Mark believes. "The Philippines can learn from it. We can apply it so that it will be sustainable for us in every aspect of our country," he said.
Internet-based tech helps agriculture in a smart way
The tour members also explored the konjak industry in Shuitou Town, the largest commercial konjak cultivation base in China. Aung Thiha, a travel blogger from Myanmar showed keen interest in the local konjak products, sharing that he chooses konjak noodles in Myanmar for weight loss.
He was impressed by Qingyuan's diverse konjak products, such as konjak coffee and konjak rice, which he believes could inspire Myanmar's konjak industry. "At first, I thought it was just an ordinary village, but when I got here, it's a very specific village with the konjak industry. The village is more developed than I expected."
Founded by Yin Hongyuan, former Vice President of JD.com, the Konjak Industry-University-Research Innovation Center they visited, utilizes 5G, IoT, and the internet to optimize the entire konjak production chain. With these technologies, Fogang's konjak industry has grown rapidly since 2021, providing employment to over 3,000 people and increasing farmers' incomes by 5.6 million yuan.
After the visit, he shared his observations from Shuitou on social media and immediately received messages from a fan. The fan showcased the konjak he grew in Myanmar and asked whether it was possible to cooperate with Shuitou.
Tech-savvy tea garden reveals factors behind Yingde Black Tea's popularity
The tour members also experienced the tea culture of Yingde, where Yingde Black Tea, one of China's three famous black teas, originates. With a history of over 1,200 years, Yingde Black Tea was once chosen as a royal gift by Queen Elizabeth II and featured in a meeting between Chinese and French leaders in 2023.
At the Enjoy Manor Ecological Tea Garden, the tour members witnessed smart cultivation monitoring technology, automated tea processing equipment, and a central intelligent tea factory. They also participated in tea picking and tea making, learning about Chinese tea culture.
Arnon Buapha, a teacher from Dhurakij Pundit University of Thailand, excitedly donning a bamboo hat, went into the tea fields to pick fresh leaves. "Such a good environment here allows tea makers to pick and make tea in a very happy mood when they work," he said.
In the first half of 2024, Enjoy Manor experienced rapid growth driven by scientific and technological innovation. The proportion of innovative product output value increased to 80%, R&D investment rose by 15 million yuan, and the number of farmers whose incomes increased reached 1,600 households.
As a first-time visitor to China and Qingyuan, Arnon Buapha was particularly interested in Qingyuan's rural revitalization efforts, especially in agricultural innovation. He emphasized the importance of learning from China's experience: "Thailand is an agricultural country; it's crucial to develop modern agriculture and innovation, so as to raise the income of farmers and make them rich."
Reporter: Zhou Hongdou, Yin Juewen
Video: Zhang Ruilin, Li Jiangrui
Poster: Wu Junli, Lin Ruoyun
Editor: Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
Thai translator: Yan Zi, Asia-Africa Center of China Media Group
Burmese translator: Zou Liying, Asia-Africa Center of China Media Group
(Qingyuan Daily also contributed to the video)
