Xiaogang, cradle of reform, carving new path to growth

Imagine breaking your back working on a farm from dusk to dawn but still struggling to put food on the table. Imagine living in such abject poverty that in non-harvest season the only way to feed your family is to beg for food and money.

This was the harsh reality of Xiaogang village in East China's Anhui province just four decades ago.

Fast forward to today and Xiaogang looks more like a town than a village.