Living standards rise in Shandong province village

Xiwangmen village – situated in the Zhucheng county of Weifang city, in East China's Shandong province – has experienced a newfound sense of purpose and civic pride in recent years.

This transformation is said to be the result of the village's sustained and effective efforts to enhance its environment, led by the "Every Household Connected" initiative.

A top priority for the village, the initiative has rolled out a series of wide-ranging improvements, including the filling of ditches, reclamation of wasteland and the paving of roads.

In particular, the main road and backstreet alleys have had some significant upgrades, featuring the installation of over 500 streetlights, for example.

The positive changes in the environment have not only improved the overall quality of life for the residents but have also attracted numerous businesses to set up shops in the region.

What was once a neglected area has now been transformed into a thriving, bustling community.

The entrance to the Xiwangmen community in Zhucheng county. [Photo by Zhang Minmin for chinadaily.com.cn]

In addition to the physical improvements, the community has seen the establishment of schools, medical care centers, supermarkets and much more. The goal is to ensure that folks there have convenient access to education, employment, shopping, healthcare and recreational activities.

The journey of Xiwangmen village is one of many in Zhucheng county in pursuit of better living conditions.

Currently, the county is home to 39 provincially recognized beautiful villages, 243 at the municipal level and 626 at the county level, with a coverage rate exceeding 50 percent. This impressive progress is said to underscore Zhucheng county's dedication to rural vitalization and position it as a model for similar initiatives across the region. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)