Xu Guanju, chairman of Transfar Group. [Photo/Tide News]

As China enters the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan in 2026, Zhejiang is exploring practical solutions for advancing common prosperity through rural vitalization.

At this year's national Two Sessions, several lawmakers shared grassroots experiences from the countryside, offering insights into how rural industries can drive growth.

One example comes from Xu Guanju, chairman of Transfar Group based in Hangzhou's Xiaoshan district. Since 2021, the company has worked with local governments and villages to build the Xiejing'an Transfar Agricultural Innovation Village, a collaborative model linking government, enterprises, villages and farmers.

A bird's-eye view of the Xiejing'an Transfar Agricultural Innovation Village. [Photo/Tide News]

The initiative has introduced more than 20 research institutes to conduct breeding experiments and launched a 10-million-yuan ($1.45 million) fund supporting agricultural startups. Over 60 young entrepreneurs have returned to the countryside, while more than 50 companies have settled in the project area.

In just two years, the program has generated 330 million yuan in new output value, increased villagers' income by more than 27 million yuan, and created over 400 jobs. Collective revenues from the three participating villages have risen by more than 240 percent compared to 2021.

The model has since been included in a national rural vitalization pilot program and is being replicated in other parts of Zhejiang, including Quzhou and Lishui. Xu hopes supportive policies will encourage more private enterprises to invest in rural development and help scale up such collaborative approaches.

Students make a study trip to the village. [Photo/Tide News]