Ding Xueqi (L) learns about the production and living conditions of employed villagers at a bristle brushing factory in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026.
In Qixiang Village, people often catch sight of an electromobile weaving its way through the fields, with a pair of crutches resting behind the seat. The driver of the electric vehicle is Ding Xueqi, party chief of the village and director of the village committee, who has led the once-impoverished village -- burdened by heavy debts, weak industries and poor transport links -- into a thriving community with prosperous industries, beautiful landscape and rising living standards.
Ding has lived with polio since childhood and relies on motorcycle to get around. Rain or shine, he travels across the fields, listening to villagers' needs and settling disagreements. Over the past two decades, he has worn out three motorcycles, suffered four fractures in falls, and undergone two heart stent surgeries. Even while hospitalized, he never stopped thinking about village affairs.
Thanks to his unremitting endeavors, a provincial highway was rerouted to skirt the village, ending the transport bottleneck that had long held back its development. He also helped bring the Taizhou youth comprehensive practice base to the village, hosted large-scale national events, personally funded and initiated land transfers for a high-end vineyard, spearheaded the development of rural tourism and the Xiaonanhu scenic area, and promoted the integrated development of agriculture, cultural tourism, and study tour.
With his original aspiration and hard work, Ding has spent more than 20 years leading the villagers to paint a brand-new picture of rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (L) talks with a villager in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi drives his electromobile in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2026 shows a scenery of Qixiang Village in Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi drives his electromobile in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi discusses the next development plan of the village with the village cadres in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (3rd R) introduces local produce to tourists from Shanghai in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (R) talks with the head of a tourist group from Shanghai in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2026 shows Ding Xueqi driving his electromobile at Xiaonanhu scenic area in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (2nd L) discusses the next development plan of the village with the village cadres in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (C) learns about the program rehearsal of a farmers' art troupe in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (L) learns about the flow of tourists at a farm stay in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 29, 2026 shows a scenery of Qixiang Village in Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (C) learns about crop cultivation and livestock raising in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Ding Xueqi (R) talks with a villager at the taro base in Qixiang Village of Huangqiao Township, Taixing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)