Construction of the World Baiku Yao (Nandan) Big Health Tourism Poverty Alleviation Industrial Park in Nandan county in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region began on Nov 13.

The Baiku Yao, or White Pants Yao, is a branch of the Yao ethnic group in Southwest China.

The industrial park is a project signed during this year's China-ASEAN Expo, which was held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, from Sept 21 to 24. With a planned investment of 1 billion yuan ($142.43 million), the park will be composed of a tea tree oil base, a big health tourist resort, and a distinctive town.

A 50,000 mu (3,333.33 hectares) planting area has been scheduled for organic tea trees at the tea tree oil base, as well as a processing plant. Chickens, wasps, and beef cattle will also be bred there.

The big health tourist resort, relying on the favorable environment of Baping village in the county and the tea tree oil base, will integrate functions of summer resort, health maintenance, agricultural sightseeing, folk custom experiences, and ecological science popularization.

The distinctive town will be a place integrating commerce, accommodation, shopping, restaurants, cultural experiences, and flower appreciation.

It is expected that the establishment of the industrial park can directly lift more than 3,000 farmers out of poverty, as well as accelerate the integrated development of industries throughout the county.