Author: Wu Chunyan

Publisher: Guangming Daily  

Date: December 9, 2024  

On December 7, 2024, Jinan University hosted the Guangdong “Rural Revitalization · Thousand Villages” Forum, bringing together over 50 experts, agricultural leaders, and village officials to discuss key topics related to rural revitalization. The forum aimed to address strategies for enhancing productivity in rural areas, developing digital villages, promoting common prosperity, and establishing equitable education.

 Forum Structure

The event was organized into four main segments:

1. Keynote Speeches

2. Release of the 2024 Research Report on high-quality development in Guangdong's villages

3. Award Ceremony for outstanding support units in rural revitalization research

4. Roundtable Forum

 Key Highlights

Liu Zonghui, Director of the Rural Work Office of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, praised Jinan University's significant contributions to rural revitalization research, particularly its seven-year commitment to the Guangdong Thousand Villages Survey. He urged the university to leverage its academic strengths to enhance collaboration across sectors and support the development of agriculture in Guangdong.

Gu Naihua, Vice President of Jinan University, emphasized the importance of rural revitalization in building a socialist modern country. He highlighted the university’s ongoing work since 2018 on the Guangdong Thousand Villages Survey, which has amassed extensive data to inform government decision-making. He expressed hope that the forum would yield valuable insights for rural revitalization efforts.

 Keynote Speakers

Several prominent experts presented during the forum:

- Professor Gu Yikang from Zhejiang University discussed strategies for sustainable rural development using new productivity methods.

- Professor Zhong Funing from Nanjing Agricultural University focused on rural revitalization amidst population changes.

- Tang Min, a former State Council counselor, addressed how new quality productivity can bolster rural development.

Following the keynote speeches, the 2024 Research Report on the High Quality Development of Guangdong Thousand Villages was presented by Lu Jingliang, Vice Dean of Jinan University’s Rural Revitalization Research Institute. The report outlined findings from the latest survey on rural development.

 Awards and Recognition

During the ceremony, 11 villages from various cities, including Guangzhou and Chaozhou, were recognized as Excellent Supporting Units for Guangdong Rural Revitalization Research. Lu Jingliang noted that the survey has gathered data from 133 towns and over 3600 farmers, providing invaluable insights into rural changes over the years.

 Roundtable Discussions

The forum included three themed discussions:

- Digital Rural Construction: Professor Guo Hongdong from Zhejiang University emphasized the role of digital villages in promoting rural revitalization.

- Rural Common Prosperity: Discussions led by Professor Zhou Yingheng focused on the challenges and pathways to achieving common prosperity in rural areas.

- Balanced Development in Education: Researcher Han Jialing discussed innovative practices for rural schools, fostering dialogue on future educational developments.

This forum not only facilitated the exchange of ideas among experts but also served as a platform for collaboration among various stakeholders aiming for comprehensive rural revitalization in Guangdong and beyond.