In 1980, 30-year-old Mao Fengmei became secretary of the Dalishu Village Branch of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Fengcheng City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and vowed to lead the villagers out of poverty toward prosperity.

Dalishu, where people barely had enough to eat, has now become demonstration village on accelerating rural economic development and improving farmers' income across the country.

For people in the village, everyday life starts at 6:30 a.m., and like other villagers, Wang Shulan, who runs a tavern along a river, opens her store early in the morning to sell the liquor she makes. The 69-year-old operates the business on her own and earns more than 50,000 yuan ($7,000) a year.

Wang used to live a tough life, but after an asphalt plant was established in the village, Mao helped Wang get a position as a cashier in the plant. Wang worked for many years until retiring at 65 years old, which is when she began to sell liquor to support herself.

The development of the village is closely related to Mao's efforts. In the late 1970s when China started reform and opening up, Mao became the first villager to earn an annual income of 10,000 yuan ($1,400), which was a hefty sum at the time, through small business ventures.

After becoming secretary of the CPC village branch, he led local villagers in building hotels and markets in the 1980s and 1990s. From 1989 to 1998, he played a leading role in the village's drive to turn its barren hills into orchards and develop rural tourism.

Mao passed away at 65 year old on September 26, 2014. He lived up to his promises through practical action.

(Reporting from Liaoning Province)

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

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