Zhangjiagang in East China's Jiangsu province invites talented agricultural experts to instruct locals on growing and harvesting techniques. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

The county-level city of Zhangjiagang has partnered with local enterprises to further advance rural revitalization and poverty alleviation, according to a local news report on Sept 1.

Municipal-level enterprises in Zhangjiagang were encouraged to pair up with villages to promote the development of local industries. Statistics show that a total of 101 projects were set up in 50 villages, helping increase the collective income among the villages to more than 20 million yuan (nearly $3 million) last year.

The city also put together several volunteer groups to offer free services to the elderly and vulnerable groups.

A poverty-alleviation fund totaling 50 million yuan was allocated by the city's eight municipal-level enterprises to Xinjiang's Gongliu county and Guizhou's Yanhe county, helping them promote local economic and social development.

An array of preferential policies were also rolled out to encourage college graduates to start businesses in their hometown, which has helped develop the city's rural tourism integrating sightseeing, leisure, and agriculture.