Zhongshan Municipal Party Secretary Chen Xudong visited South District on June 10 for investigation and survey of implementation of “rural revitalization strategy” and old building protection. City leaders including Qiu Shuhong, Fang Weiting and Li Changchun also participated in the trip.

Caobian Village, the “National Beautiful Demonstration Village”, was founded during the Southern Song Dynasty in 1068. There are a large number of historic dwellings, houses built by overseas Chinese, stone streets, alleys and other human landscapes, including the Caobian School constructed in 1929, in the hundreds-year-old village. 

Shangtang Village, also in South District, is another village with abundant historical and cultural values. Ma Nanbao, national official of the Southern Song Dynasty, Ma Yingbiao, pioneer of modern China’s department store cause, and Ma Leshan, Global Master of Hand-made Cartoon Figures, were all born in Shangtang Village. Most of historic buildings in the village are in connection with these celebrities.

During the survey trip, Chen Xudong praised highly for the historical and cultural foundation deep in the countryside and affirmed the private efforts put in the protection of history. He underlined that culture is the “root” and “soul” of the quality development of a city, and the old buildings are the irreplaceable carriers of a city’s cultural spirit. We should confirm our cultural confidence and preserve the old buildings, traditional blocks and cultural relics with constancy when pursuing economic development. We should also integrate implementation of “rural revitalization strategy” with old building protection by managing the relation between “city” and “village” and between “new” and “old”.

Chen Xudong also stressed that all departments and township governments should deeply implement “rural revitalization strategy” and speed up construction of prosperous, livable, civilized, well-ordered and wealthy beautiful villages.