The company, which was created in 2014, was still young at the end of 2016 when it decided to cooperate with the local government to help more local residents overcome poverty.

"I think as a local company it is our responsibility to join the poverty alleviation work in Nilka. We enjoy a unique advantage of natural resources here," said Zhang Xiu, the company's general manager.

In 2017, the young company not only began offering jobs but also established a subsidiary to which Tianyu contributed 51 percent of the investment, with the rest contributed by the residents.

"The locals borrowed 50,000 yuan ($7,100) from the bank at zero interest. Over a five-year period, they can earn as much as 3,000 to 4,000 yuan in dividends each year. If they want to quit after five years, they are free to leave with all of their principal. Or, if they want to continue, they will continue to receive dividends depending on the company's performance each year," Zhang said.

The subsidiary specializes in local poverty alleviation. Its main business is to pack and sell the cold-water fish bred at the base. In Karasu, 609 poor households borrowed money from the bank and invested in the subsidiary.