Expansion underway

In 2017, Xijiang town established a poverty alleviation workshop with six standard factories. By 2022, the workshop was managed by a subsidiary of the Zhenxing Group.

The industrial base now hosts 14 pollution-free and labor-intensive enterprises, including garment and footwear manufacturers, employing approximately 2,000 people.

Yang Meitao, in her late 30s, works at a shoe factory in the workshop. She hails from Qiangong, a nearby village, and her husband works outside the province. She started working at the factory in May 2023.

"Working here is quite good. First, it's close to my home, making it convenient for me to care for elderly relatives and my children. Second, it provides a stable income for us women without jobs. I can earn over 5,000 yuan a month, which I'm very satisfied with," Yang said.

Zhong Fangfang, a manager at the shoe factory, said that the factory mainly produces shoes for sportswear brand Tebu.

"The factory employs over 300 workers, mostly villagers from the surrounding areas of Xijiang town, with over 90 percent of the employees being women."

Zhong said that the average wage in the factory is above 3,500 yuan, and can reach 10,000 yuan.

Zeng Xianghua, the director of the People's Armed Forces Department in Xijiang town, said that the current operational model provides employment opportunities, especially for "invisible" unemployed people who need to care for the elderly and their children.

Expansion of the industrial base is underway, which will allow for the accommodation of nearly 40 small and medium-sized enterprises and create work opportunities for 5,000 people.

Last year, Huichang registered and operated the "Huichang Duhao" brand, working with local companies to promote the commercialization of Huichang products, such as navel oranges, pomelos, rice noodles, and dried tofu.

So far, the county has developed 180 products across 10 categories.