She is currently the chairwoman of the Specialized Farmer's Cooperative of Miao Embroidery in Shibadong Village. Since her retirement in 2014, Shi Shunlian has led women in the village to develop the Miao embroidery industry. Today, Miao embroidery has become a pillar industry of the village.
In 2013, the per capita annual income was just 1,668 yuan, significantly below the national average. Over half of the village’s population lived in poverty, with dilapidated houses, narrow roads and weak infrastructure.
In 2014, the Specialized Farmers’ Cooperative of Miao Embroidery was established in Shibadong Village, trained over 95% of the village’s women to embroider and provided them with employment opportunities.
In 2018, the Miao embroidery cooperative partnered with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd., enabling Shibadong Village’s Miao embroidery products to enter the international market along the “Belt and Road” by high-speed train. The collaboration secures annual orders of 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. Villagers working outside chose to return and join the cooperative.
They combine tradition with innovation, offering fashion products like handbags, earrings, and bookmarks. They also introduced image printing and rubbing technologies for efficiency and quality improvement. Embroiders led by Shi Shunlian often promoted their products at exhibitions, making Shibadong Village’s Miao embroidery works highly popular.
The muddy roads in the past were paved with asphalt, houses were renovated, and infrastructure was improved. Shi is overjoyed at the transformation the village has undergone in the past decade.
In recent years, Shibadong Village has harnessed its status as a contemporary Red landmark and its rich Miao cultural heritage to boost rural tourism. Characteristic homestay inns, batik experience centers, field complex and traditional folk events have attracted numerous visitors. New professions such as agritainment owners, farmer tour guides and livestreamers have emerged.
In 2022, Shibadong Village welcomed over 600,000 tourists, and generated tourism revenue exceeding 12 million yuan. The per capita annual income increased from 1,668 yuan in 2013 to 23,505 yuan in 2022, and the collective economic income of the village grew from zero to 3.8 million yuan.
Shibadong Village, driven by the Miao embroidery industry, has transformed into a prosperous and culturally rich rural community. The village's economic growth, cultural preservation, and improved living conditions exemplify the positive outcomes of their efforts.
At the age of 69, Shi Shunlian remains full of energy, leading the Miao embroiderers of Shibadong Village with enthusiasm and determination to write a prosperous chapter in rural revitalization.
In Shi Shunlian’s view, industry development is crucial for rural revitalization. Local industries like Miao embroidery, kiwi fruit, and camellia oil should be well-developed and expanded. Additionally, attention should be paid to the balanced development among the four natural villages.
Happiness is achieved through hard work. The remarkable poverty alleviation achievements of Shibadong Village are the result of the collective efforts of Party members and all the villagers.