Fishing town cashes in on New Year's first sunshine

Yang Biao, 56, used to be a fisherman like his father and grandfather. But he gave up his fishing boat and started a hospitality business in 2016.

"Fishing is dangerous and tough. Some of my neighbors even lost their lives. I felt bad and wanted a safe, stable life," he said. "I used to live on the untamed sea. Now I rely on the sunshine."

All of his rooms for the last day of 2019 and the upcoming Chinese New Year have been booked out. During the peak season from July to September, the occupancy rate of his homestay is around 70 percent.

The local seafood industry has also been warmed by the sunshine.

Zheng Jie, 30, grew up in a fishing family on an island. Thanks to the rising popularity of Shitang and its delicious seafood, she started her e-commerce business in 2017.

"When tourists come to enjoy the sunshine, they usually take some local seafood with them upon leaving. And some of them become my regular customers and place orders on WeChat," she said.

Next, she plans to establish a cooperative to bring in more fishermen to the business.