Donkeys' decline a sign of change in rural areas

TAIYUAN - Should he sell his donkey at a low price or bear the cost of keeping it as a "pet"? Chinese farmer Ma Hongyi is facing a dilemma.

There are fewer than 10 donkeys remaining in Dongping village where Ma lives in Shanxi province, and all of their owners are facing the same situation.

Donkeys used to be the backbone of agricultural production in Dongping village, home to 190-plus residents who each have farming land of about 2 hectares.