E China county boosts rural vitalization in all-round way

Answering the nation's call to boost rural vitalization, Juye county in East China's Shandong province is helping farmers to integrate sports activities into the building of rural culture, as a way to advance the Healthy China Initiative in promoting public health and lifting people's well-being.

The county thinks that rural vitalization, which is a "five in one" comprehensive project covering industrial, talent, cultural, ecological and organizational vitalization, cannot go better without virtuous and healthy living, and amid the nation's Healthy China Initiative, sports can become a powerful drive for the widespread vitalization.

In October, the county kicked off the second Rural Youth Super League at Longhai Football Stadium in Longgu town, with 12 rural youth football teams sweating and competing fiercely on the field.

Niu Cong, a member of the Party committee of Longgu: "We will actively organize various sports events and activities, and make sports a powerful support for rural vitalization, creating new ways of virtuous and healthy living, and contributing health strength to the construction of beautiful and livable rural areas."

With a population of 1.1 million, Juye realized a regional GDP of 37.13 billion yuan ($5.23 billion) in the first three quarters of this year, an annual increase of 6.8 percent at constant prices, laying a solid foundation for its economic and social progress, Niu said.

Last year, its GDP hit 44.76 billion yuan, a rise of 6.9 percent year-on-year.