Three Gorges migrants find 2nd hometown
Print Edition
Xiong Deqing and his wife Liao Guoxing have come to regard Mingping in south China’s Guangdong Province as their second hometown — nine years after moving there from southwest Chongqing City to make way for the Three Gorges hydropower project.
The couple came to the village along with 60 neighbors, among some 1.1 million people relocated due to the project.
Work on the Three Gorges Project, the world’s largest hydro scheme, started in 1994 and was completed in 2009.
Xiong and Liao now run a pigeon-rearing business, but life was tough when they first arrived in Mingping.
“It took me a long time to adapt,” Xiong said.
After arriving in Mingping, Xiong cultivated two hectares of land, but suffered setbacks as he was unfamiliar with the climate.
“I tried to grow cabbage, lettuce and broccoli, but hadn’t bargained for the local weather. My crops were drowned by summer storms and I lost 40,000 yuan (US$6,452) in 2005,” Xiong said. “That was a great blow.”
Other migrants encountered other problems.
“We’re fond of spicy food, while the local food is so bland that I had no appetite,” 65-year-old Zhong Jinrong said.
The newcomers also had language issues, as the Cantonese widely used in Guangdong differs dramatically from the migrants’ Chongqing dialect.
“I felt isolated as I had to ask young people to translate for me,” migrant Qu Xingfen said.
Living costs are also higher in Guangdong, adding to difficulties for new arrivals.
However, hardships did not defeat the migrants. As time went by, with the help of the local government, efforts to make Mingping their second hometown paid off.
“After years of learning, I understand Cantonese. Although I can’t speak it, I no longer need interpreters,” Qu said.
Zhu Weiying, Mingping’s deputy Party chief, said the village committee has helped migrants obtain technical training, find jobs and assisted some with their own businesses.
Aided by the committee, Qiao Xiongxin, 40, spent 200,000 yuan last year setting up a metal processing company.
“We’re making 10,000 yuan a month in profit,” Qiao said.
Zhu said 16 families have established farms, raising 10,000 pigeons and 500 pigs. Their annual income averages 8,000 yuan per person.
Xiong said he’s now quite comfortable in his surroundings.
“Mingping has become my hometown, just like Chongqing,” he said.
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