Transforming China's First Coffee Village: How Digitalization Revives Rural Life

In Xinzhai, a small village in Yunnan, China, known as the country's first coffee village, a significant change is taking place. This transformation, driven by digital advancements, is attracting both locals and outsiders, boosting the local economy.

Transformation of China's First Coffee Village in Yunnan

In the mountainous region of Yunnan province, Xinzhai, recognized as China's first coffee village, is witnessing a remarkable transformation. This small village, famous for its Arabica coffee beans, has struggled for years with low coffee bean output and prices, leading many locals to leave for better opportunities.

However, recent advancements in digital technology, including 5G infrastructure and live streaming, are revolutionizing Xinzhai. According to Today Online, the village is now not only seeing its residents return but is also attracting new people. These changes have been crucial in modernizing farming practices, promoting entrepreneurship, improving social services, and reducing poverty.

The digital shift in Xinzhai is part of a broader initiative to empower rural areas in China. The aim is to bridge the digital gap and support President Xi Jinping's vision for rural revitalization. This initiative includes efforts by the Yunnan Provincial Communications Management Bureau and partnerships with corporations like Huawei Technologies. Huawei has significantly advanced digital transformation in remote areas globally, impacting around 90 million people.

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The impact of digital infrastructure in Xinzhai is evident. The village's small-grain coffee has gained national recognition, with sales reaching significant figures, including considerable earnings from live streaming. This success has improved the village's economy and turned it into a tourist attraction.

However, experts like Liao Yongsong, a rural policy researcher, and Huo Peng, from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, caution that there are challenges to consider. These include the costs of building and operating digital infrastructure and ensuring that these advancements are sustainable and extend nationwide.

Coffee Village Boosts Quality and Tourism with Huawei's 5G Tech

In a remarkable step, the famous coffee village of Xinzhai in China is now fully covered by a 5G network, thanks to a partnership between China Mobile Yunnan (CMY) and tech giant Huawei. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of the locally grown 'Baoshan small-grain coffee' and attract more tourists to the area.

Xinzhai, known for its premium coffee, is situated on the Gaoligong mountain and stands about 1,000 meters above sea level. It's not just famous in China; its coffee has earned a reputation far and wide. The village has recently gained attention as a great example of how 5G technology can transform rural areas.

Khmer Times reported that the journey began in 2013 when CMY started building regional wireless networks. They invested around 22 million yuan to set up 55 macro base stations in Gaoligong. With the introduction of 5G in 2021, the focus shifted to meeting new infrastructure needs. The plan is to extend 5G coverage to 98% of areas with more than 30 households by the end of 2023. Five 5G base stations have already been installed in the coffee fields, covering 667 hectares.

Huawei's involvement has been crucial. Before their intervention, the coffee industry in Xinzhai was struggling. With a renewed focus on quality and an integrated development approach, the village has saved its coffee industry and set a benchmark for others to follow.

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