Rural vitalization program flying high with Air China

Paired assistance

To win the battle against poverty, SOEs have been paired with impoverished areas to help them become wealthier. For example, Air China established a paired-assistance relationship with the banner in 2012, and helped eradicate local poverty in April 2019. Since then, the company has continued to help the area remain free from poverty and helped carry out a rural vitalization campaign.

Over the past 11 years, the company has provided 95 million yuan as free assistance funds to the banner. Meanwhile, its employees have spent more than 178 million yuan to purchase and sell agricultural produce in the assisted areas.

The company has also helped governments train technical talents and set up a tailored hiring program for local people. Since 2016, the company has sent three employees to be deputy heads of the banner — usually serving two-year terms — who are mainly in charge of local poverty alleviation and rural vitalization programs, and also serve as liaisons to link outside resources with the area.

In addition, employees such as flight attendants visit local primary schools to provide aviation safety classes.

Livestock is the region's pillar industry, and Sonid Right Banner is famous for its mutton, beef and camel's milk. Air China has assisted the local people and government in breeding the cattle, improving husbandry technology and promoting the brand. In 2019, the company invested 3 million yuan to build a Sonid sheep breeding base at Ursheelt, a village in Ereennuur township.

By the end of last year, 646 villagers from 248 households had benefited from the base, earning a combined income of 645,000 yuan.

Moreover, the company invested a further 2.5 million yuan last year to upgrade the facilities and equipment at the base, and promote scientific breeding strategies.