Aerial photo taken on Nov. 9, 2020 shows the Zhehong highway in Bulenggou Village, Dongxiang Autonomous County of northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)
In Longxi County, northwest China's Gansu Province, a 7-km road connecting Liujiazhang Village to a nearby township was constructed in 2017, enabling villagers to sell their herbs with much lower transport costs.
Villager Li Yanjie said that before the new road was built, vehicles were reluctant to come as they were often stuck in the mud after it had rained. "Herbal plantation has become our pillar industry, partly because of the better road access."
According to the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, China will put forward a "road chief" system, in which specific personnel will be responsible for building, managing, maintaining and operating rural roads.
The huge rural road network has strongly stimulated rural production and consumption and played a big supporting role in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, said Yang Wude, vice president of Shanxi Agricultural University.
"Roads remain a priority for rural vitalization. More developed transportation will further stimulate the vitality of rural development and the market," said Yang.
