At just 28 years old, Zhang Guifang has become a symbol of rural revitalization in the Chinese mainland. Five years after becoming her hometown's youngest-ever village chief, she's transformed the once-overlooked community into "Rainbow Village" – a model of economic creativity and intergenerational solidarity.
"I wanted to bridge the gap between urban opportunities and rural potential," Zhang told KhabarAsia. Her initiatives include modern basketball courts, a community cinema, and a free restaurant serving over 100 seniors daily. Through live-streamed agricultural sales, she's increased local farmers' incomes by 40% since 2020.
The Tsinghua University graduate credits her success to combining Gen-Z digital fluency with traditional community values. "Rural development isn't just about infrastructure – it's about creating spaces where elders feel respected and youth see future possibilities," she explained.
