In harsh, remote Ningxia, cooperation makes a difference

Equal development

More equal development of eastern and western regions also corresponds to the national agenda. Cooperation is therefore considered a common responsibility and obligation of localities throughout the country.

Fujian province is paired with Ningxia and is obliged to offer support for the northwestern region. Huang was encouraged by Fujian officials to relocate his 10-year-old company, which produces a wide range of bags－backpacks, handbags, school bags, duffel bags and army bags－to Ningxia. They are sold in Europe, the Americas, South Africa and Japan.

Unlike some companies that cooperate by building satellite workshops in western areas but keep their headquarters in eastern areas, Huang put his entire operation, both headquarters and factories, in Ningxia.

Many villagers in Jingyuan county now do not have to travel to faraway places for jobs. They can stay home as they lift their families out of poverty.

Ma Caiqin was the first person Huang recruited in Jingyuan county. A housewife before joining the company, Ma is now in charge of the human resources department. She has a monthly salary of more than 4,000 yuan ($563).

After working for six months, most workers receive a monthly salary ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 yuan.

Huang encourages top performers in his company to run new factories and recruit more local people.

Building strong base

"When more people are trained to be quality industrial workers, they will build a strong base for my company," Huang said.

"I hope that I can cultivate a large number of industrial workers here quickly. Everyone will be good at something, and he or she will make a better living. At that time, my factories will have a sharper edge in competition."

To achieve the goal of eradicating absolute poverty this year, Ningxia has advanced poverty alleviation efforts, such as offering jobs to women with children.

At one of Huang's factories in Jingyuan county, almost all of the 310 workers are local women, 110 of whom had been impoverished.

Yu Hongqin, a 37-year-old mother of four, learned sewing techniques. Her left leg was badly injured in an accident 20 years ago, depriving her of the ability to do heavier work. For 19 years, she was unable to find a job and could only stay at home to care for her children. Unfortunately, her husband's income was meager, and the family barely made ends meet.

In July, Yu heard about a factory offering sewing jobs to assemble bags. It was an opportunity for her to escape poverty, and she applied for a job there, along with five other women.

In the first three months, they received training, learning how to operate the sewing machines. Now Yu earns nearly 3,000 yuan a month.

"I have two daughters who are college students. If I work harder, I can afford my children's education so that they will have a brighter future," Yu said.