BEIJING: A group of young people from Global South countries recently visited rural areas in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province with the goal of bringing China’s useful experience back to their own countries. Puriwan Akkarachanchainon, co-founder of Nannaire Community Enterprise in Thailand, visited Manluanzhan village in Xishuangbanna on Tuesday and observed that many young people are actively contributing to the its development.
“Their involvement ranges from managing the village and joining dance groups to performing as guitarists and working as cooks in the village restaurant, “Akkarachanchainon said. “This impressed me, as the younger generation in Thailand is reluctant to engage in activities related to their village or agriculture.”
Li Faxin, Manluanzhan’s CEO, noted that the robust development of the tourism industry has encouraged young people to return. “We have 15 families operating bed-and-breakfast homestays, with each earning an annual income of more than 70,000 yuan ($10,440) in 2025,” he said.
Akkarachanchainon is among 37 participants in the 2026 Global South Rural Entrepreneurs Initiative, organized by China Agricultural University and Tencent SSV. The event, which runs until Sept 26, features agricultural technology and product sales training courses in Beijing, as well as visits to Manluanzhan and Hebian villages in Xishuangbanna, both of which serve as models of rural revitalization.
Alongside the robust growth of tourism, the two villages are investing in specialized agriculture, particularly in the rubber industry.
According to Huang Zhicheng, CEO of Hebian, each household earned an average annual income of 60,000 to 70,000 yuan from rubber production in 2025.
Mariano Da Costa Alves, a professional in Timor-Leste’s coffee industry, views the development of specialized industry as a promising strategy.
“By offering training to farmers, as China does, we can improve both the yield and quality of our coffee. Further, expanding market access will help secure higher prices for our products,” he said.
Alves noted that the development of China’s rural areas is guided by a government-designed system, supported by technology, while also attracting young people.
Nick Gallent, a professor at the University of London, shared a similar view at the High-Level Academic Dialogue on Global Rural Transformation, which was held in the village. He said the government’s planning capabilities are crucial for promoting rural development.
He visited both Manluanzhan village, where the dialogue held, as well as Hebian.
“Over the past decade, Hebian has undergone a remarkable transformation,” Gallent said. “It’s not just a physical change but also a boost in the community’s confidence about the future, thanks to the developments that have occurred.”
Looking ahead, advanced technology is expected to play a greater role in rural development.
Le Van Tu, head of the drone division at TB VietNam Investment and Development Joint Stock Co, gained deeper insights into drone pesticide spraying technology during his visit to Xishuangbanna.
“I plan to promote this technology on a larger scale upon returning to Vietnam, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and safeguard the health of local farmers,” he said. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
