Roots to success

"At that time, villagers were extremely poor with little income from farming. Many of them resorted to robbery, stealing and gambling," says Gao Huachu.

The young Party secretary decided to change the situation, and with Gao Houjiu's wise words echoing in his ears, he encouraged villagers to plant walnut trees.

"Considering that walnut trees can be planted in the village, and can bring good economic benefits, we invited professionals to our village to teach us how to plant and care for them," says Gao Huachu.

Over the next six years, Gao Huachu led the whole village of over 460 people to embark on a journey of development. They planted 140 hectares of walnut trees, the produce of which later enabled them to build roads, get access to electricity, and construct a green village.