The "TSJC-Jinyun New Global Village" summer field practice team, comprising students with diverse backgrounds at the School of Journalism and Communication , Tsinghua University, embarked on a social practice mission in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, from 21st to 28th, 2024. The theme of their mission was "The rural industrialization development in mountainous counties."

A group photo of practice team members in front of the Rural Revitalization Practice Teaching Base of TSJC in Zhoucun Village, Jinyun

Industrial agglomeration in China is usually located in cities with a certain scale, such as Anshan and Fushun in the northeastern region and Wuhan and Xiangtan in the central-southern regions. But Jinyun has consistently stood at the forefront, optimizing policies and productivity, offering a unique blueprint for mountainous county development during four decades of reform and opening-up.In the week-long practice, with the support of the Heyang Institute for Rural Studies and the Rural Revitalization Practice Teaching Base of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University in Zhoucun, Jinyun as the institutional foundation of the practice team, gained a deeper understanding of Jinyun's innovative practices and achievements in attracting talents, capital, and technology. During interviews, the mention of "Jinyun's rural industrialization industry began with 'attracting businesses through businesses'" by local officials piqued the team's curiosity. Beyond interviews, the members ventured into the fields, revisiting history through on-site investigations, as the tapestry of Jinyun's rural industrialization industry development gradually unfolded before them.

Each visit served as a canvas, painting vivid scenes from Jinyun's rural industrialization odyssey. The team was transported back in time, experiencing pivotal moments in the county's industrial progress. At Xinbi Subdistrict, the first tiny industrial zone in Jinyun, they marveled at the rapid evolution of the local industry. In the handmade hardware product workshop located in Yongkang City, Jinhua, everyone gained an understanding of the history of Yongkang hardware merchants "attracting other merchants through business" to start their own enterprises in Jinyun, and relived the hardships faced by the early rural industrialization industry in Jinyun during its establishment. At the Saw Museum, they traced the journey of Jinyun's Huzhen Township from obscurity to the "Capital of Sawing Machines in China." Within the Lijin High-tech Industrial Park's Jinyun Machine Tool Town, they felt the convenience brought by "Products of Jinyun."

Members of the practice team visited the Lijin High-tech Park to experience the products made in Jinyun

As the team traversed various sites, memorable moments from Jinyun's rural industrialization history emerged like puzzle pieces, gradually fitting into place. When the last piece was added, the secret to the vibrant rural industrialization in this mountainous county became clear to all.Everyone lamented that the rolling hills have never been an obstacle to industrial development. "coordination through mountains, advanced technology leads innovation, and borrowing strength from all the way" are the "golden keys" to seize every opportunity for high-quality leapfrog development and stimulate the potential of the county's manufacturing industry.

Members of the practice team are discussing the history of Jinyun's rural industrialization

Ito Yukino, an international student from TSJC, created a vlog to document this delightful voyage of social practice. She expressed, "The fieldwork in Jinyun deeply touched me. Throughout this trip, as soon as I arrived at Jinyun, I was embraced by the warm-hearted and kind villagers, as if I had returned to my hometown. The natural scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful, and every day spent under the azure sky feels like both my soul and body are being nourished. My classmates who joined me in the fieldwork each have their own strengths, and discussing and learning with them has been incredibly enriching. We have grown together through mutual inspiration. This is an extremely valuable experience in practical journalism, and I hope to apply these lessons to my future studies, research, and life."

Written by: LI William Kwun Yu
Photographs by: LU Haowei
Video by: ITO Yukino
Audited by: CHEN Chuncai