Huang pets a horse in a village. [Photo/Xinhua]

Road less taken

In 2016, Huang Wenxiu graduated from Beijing Normal University with a master's degree. Instead of seeking a career in the capital city, she decided to work in Baise, her hometown, and was employed by the municipal publicity department. In 2018, she was sent to Baini, which is in a remote area.

Hao Haiyan, her university teacher, tells Guangming Daily that Huang Wenxiu had good English skills, and it wouldn't have been difficult for her to stay in Beijing or go abroad if she'd wanted.

Huang Wenxiu had tasted the bitterness of poverty herself. A bed and a "sofa" made of tires and planks were once all the furniture in her house in De'ai village in Baise's Tianyang county.

Huang Aijuan, her elder sister, tells People's Daily that Huang Wenxiu got a government subsidy when studying in high school and university.

"She always said she wanted to help develop her hometown and bring hope to more people."

Baini is about 200 kilometers, or four hours' drive, from the urban area of Baise.

When she was appointed Party chief in March 2018, about 23 percent of the village's 472 families lived in poverty. Now, the figure is 2.71. The area also has four new reservoirs and 17 street lamps.