A village rises from the ruins
Updated: 2011-05-05 11:32
By Tang Zhi(chinadaily.com.cn)
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When the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake struck Sichuan province, the village of Baoshan (means “Treasure Mountain” in English) suffered devastating losses. Fifty-six villagers were killed, 14 hydropower stations were destroyed and 608 houses collapsed. Total losses exceeded 2.7 billion yuan. Three years later, Baoshan has again secured its place among China’s wealthier villages.
Baoshan village is located in the northern part of Chengdu, adjacent to Bailu town, in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. Due to its special terrain and climate, hydropower and tourism became pillar industries in Baoshan. Sichuan Pengzhou Baoshan Corp was established in 1983 to focus on developing hydropower and tertiary industries.
By the end of 2009, Baoshan’s total revenues reached 1.515 billion yuan, and per capita income reached 20,058 yuan. Among the top-300 renowned villages in China, Baoshan ranked No 39 in 2008. Baoshan Corp has become an integrated, multinational corporation, concentrating on hydropower, minerals and travel resources development.
When the Wenchuan earthquake hit Sichuan province, Baoshan also suffered the destruction of its sole scenic spot, Huilong Valley. But the sheer magnitude of losses did not deter local residents from working side by side to rescue fellow villagers and tourists, and later, to rebuild the village’s scenic spots and businesses.
The director of Baoshan village told China Daily that hydropower stations that had been wrecked have been rebuilt and put into services. One high-density fiber board plant was established and Baoshan Corp has injected capital in the mining industry in Vietnam, the director said.
Although Huilong Valley was destroyed, new scenic spots were created, creating forecasts for higher tourism numbers in the future in the village that rose from the ruins.