Once a wild berry, the Cili fruit now fuels an entire industry, boosting farmers’ incomes in Panzhou. Adhering to a well-structured development model that covers every facet of “cultivation, production, research, and sales”, Ansteel Group is fully committed to aiding Panzhou in advancing its Cili industry. Ansteel has joined hands with the government departments of Panzhou City to establish a dedicated Cili industry team. Together, they provide external support and assist local residents in achieving self-sufficiency, thereby facilitating a self-sustained Cili industry cycle from cultivation to consumption. This endeavor will significantly bolster the holistic development of Panzhou’s Cili industry chain, spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, fostering growth and benefiting farmers.

During the bustling farming season, the Wumeng mountain region in Guizhou Province resounds with joys and laughters. In the golden month of September, a vast expanse of Rosa roxburghii Tratt., commonly known as “Cili” in Chinese, are ripe for harvest in Liuguan Sub-district, Panzhou City, Guizhou. Each mu (a unit of area; one mu is often reckoned to be exactly 1/15 hectare) of Cili yields approximately RMB 2,000, significantly surpassing the income from traditional local crop, corn. The newly paved asphalt road leading to the Cili orchards in Sanjiaotian Village and Huajiashan Village has replaced the previous muddy mountain paths, and the orchard irrigation projects are now fully operational. The radiant Cili fruits have brought immense joy to the farmlands that once suffered from water shortages and poor harvests. All these transformations are the outcome of a collaborative effort between the municipal government and a company.

From a “city slicker” to a “yokel”

Zhang Beigang, temporarily serving as Deputy Mayor in Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, as part of his assignment with Pangang Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ansteel Group (hereafter referred to as “Ansteel” or “the Group”), moves through the fields wearing rubber gloves. Occasionally, he greets the elderly villagers laboring in the fields in the local dialect, asking about the growth and harvest of the Cili fruit. Over time, they have become like old friends. “Hey there, where are you off to today?” “This year’s harvest is truly abundant!” The local residents enthusiastically share their joy over the bountiful harvest, offering Zhang Beigang a thumbs-up and saying, “That’s fantastic!” and “Great job!”

Zhang Beigang, the Deputy Plant Manager at Panzhihua Steel & Vanadium Co., Ltd. just six months ago, is now a frequent presence in these fields like a “yokel”. With the gradual advancement of the rural revitalization strategy, Ansteel Group has sent 12 officials to Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, since 2011. Zhang’s former colleagues in the city now work diligently alongside him in the countryside.

With Ansteel’s support, Zhang Beigang arrived in Panzhou City, becoming the fifth temporary Deputy Mayor, succeeding Zhang Jinchao. He, along with Na Wenchuan, the first secretary dispatched by Ansteel to Huajiashan Village, and Tian Lei, the first secretary dispatched to Sanjiaotian Village, constitute the new “Iron Triangle” of Ansteel’s assistance program in Panzhou.

How can we ensure the organized relay of the rural revitalization efforts and drive Panzhou’s rural economy to new heights? The overarching strategy of the new “Iron Triangle” is to harness the resource advantages of central state-owned enterprises (SOEs), actively acquire local resources, tailor initiatives to the local context, closely align with the five major rural revitalization goals, and support the development of local industries while efficiently implementing assistance projects. With a focus on the unique local Cili industry and support from Ansteel’s resources and policies, the “Iron Triangle” partners with the local government and villagers. They have taken over the relay baton from the previous officials stationed in the area and are dedicated to enhancing Ansteel’s contributions to Panzhou.

From familiarizing himself with the regulations issued by the provincial and municipal governments regarding resident officials dispatched to villages, understanding the local village conditions, and building strong relationships with local residents, it took Tian Lei less than a month to adapt to his new role as a resident official. He has endured nights of burning the midnight oil to look up documents, and has conducted numerous household visits. Always keeping his duties in mind, Tian Lei has established task memos for assisting villagers on his phone, frequently reviewing and updating them.



Na Wenchuan, reflecting on his role, summarized, “Officials play a crucial role in the assistance program. Collaborative solutions between village officials and community administrators enhance our collective drive. It’s vital to ensure every village household benefits from our policies. I’m well-informed about each family in the village, the number of people in each household, and the events occurring in their homes. When villagers encounter difficulties, they would definitely reach out to me for assistance.” Ansteel Group is dedicated to ensuring that policies, technological support, and benefits reach every household. Visiting villagers for a casual chat has become a common practice for resident officials from the Group.

One day, Na Wenchuan eagerly made his way to the home of Liu Zeliang, a farmer in Huajiashan Village. Upon entering, he warmly shook Old Mr. Liu hand and said, “I’ve got some great news for you. Ansteel Group has been informed about the village’s needs and is exploring the possibility of constructing a road for your convenience. This will surely make it easier for you when you harvest your 30 mu of corn!”

“Great! That’s fantastic! Once the road is ready, I’ll transition to planting Cili,” exclaimed Old Mr. Liu with excitement. His son had long been encouraging him to grow Cili because it offers considerably higher economic returns compared to corn. However, transportation challenges to the Cili orchards had been a persistent concern, affecting its market prospects. In Panzhou, corn yields about 500 kilograms per mu, selling at around RMB 3.2 yuan per kilogram. Once costs such as seeds, fertilizers, and labor are deducted, the profit per mu of corn falls below RMB 1,000. By contrast, Cili cultivation requires less fertilizer use. With proper care, the fruit trees yield more generously. Therefore, both the maintenance and labor costs for Cili cultivation are much lower than those for corn. This year, Liu Zeliang planted Cili on nearly 4 mu of land, and about 1.3 mu achieved a yield of 2,000 kilograms per mu due to convenient transportation and diligent tree care. “Just from this patch of Cili, I earned over RMB 5,000!” Old Mr. Liu exclaimed excitedly.

A bountiful harvest alone cannot secure the peace of mind of Cili growers; a guaranteed purchase is needed to completely dispel their concerns. In recent years, most of the village’s young residents have been working elsewhere to earn money, while those laboring in the fields are mostly elderly individuals in their fifties, sixties, or even seventies. The latter group is highly sensitive to factors like labor intensity, agricultural product prices, and sales. Li Rongfei, a 69-year-old villager from Sanjiaotian Village, tends to more than ten mu of Cili. Over the past two years, he has enjoyed bumper harvests, and with the government-led-


-platform company buying at guaranteed prices, the sale of his Cili is secure. “Cultivating Cili is undoubtedly a wise choice. It requires minimal maintenance, and there are buyers offering guaranteed prices. My family has reaped tangible benefits,” beamed Li Rongfei. Insights like these have also prompted the officials dispatched by Ansteel Group to realize that guaranteed purchases are instrumental in motivating farmers to cultivate Cili.

After careful deliberation, the Group has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Cili King Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Cili King), a platform company endorsed by the Panzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government. By supporting production lines and diversifying product offerings, Ansteel aims to enhance the secure purchase of the fruit and, subsequently, aid local growers in stabilizing their sales.

If we consider industry as the “backbone” of rural development, then the village’s appearance is its “image.” Beyond roadwork, Ansteel Group has played a significant role in enhancing the rural environment. Liu Wenliang mentioned, “Roads, public toilets roadside, walls, and sewage channels have all seen upgrades thanks to Ansteel’s officials. Our village looks much tidier!” Residents express profound appreciation when talking about the support offered by the Group.

Through the construction of bridges and mountain roads, Ansteel Group has been dedicated to connecting the “final kilometer” for the villagers. This not only provides convenience to the residents but also boosts the enthusiasm of businesses and cooperatives to buy Cili. With the genuine support of resident officials and substantial investments from Ansteel Group, villagers are experiencing a gradual rise in their income. Their lives are improving and becoming more content, while the village’s overall appearance has been elevated.

Thanks to their exceptional performance, the previous officials from Ansteel received accolades from the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Local residents have their own criteria for assessing the performance of the resident officials. As Xu Yangqiu, the former first secretary stationed in Huajiashan, prepared to conclude his term, a villager slaughtered a sheep and hosted a farewell party at their home in honor of him. This heartfelt gesture deeply touched several departing resident officials. This scene also made a lasting impression on the newly arrived “Iron Triangle,” who said, “We are deeply moved by this and hope that, when it’s our turn to leave, we can also earn the sincere recognition of the local community.”

From a “wild berry” to the “King of Vitamin C”


In August, extensive Cili orchards in Panzhou transform into an endless sea of golden hues. Cili has a golden skin, a delightful fragrance, and a crisp texture reminiscent of pears. Nevertheless, the wild Cili, thriving on the slopes and valleys of Guizhou, was once underestimated due to its tiny spines and sourness. As the demand for health and nutrition continues to rise, the fruit’s nutritional value has come to light. It contains 500 times the vitamin C content of apples, earning it the moniker “King of Vitamin C.” Additionally, Cili is rich in vitamin P and superoxide dismutase (SOD). With growing interest, especially within the framework of the national poverty alleviation campaign, the Cili industry has become a key focus for development in Guizhou Province.

Owing to its advantageous geographic location and favorable planting conditions,, Panzhou City’s total Cili cultivation area had expanded to over 600,000 mu, involving 126,900 farming households and a total of 385,200 individuals. Panzhou now stands as China’s top region for Cili cultivation, production, and quality. The once-undervalued wild berries from Panzhou’s mountains have now found their way onto people’s dining tables and lives in various forms.

At the Cili King factory, fresh Cili fruit undergoes processes such as automated cleaning, high-temperature sterilization, and filling. Following these procedures, it is transformed into over 30 products, including fruit juice, dried fruit, gummy candies, oral solutions, and effervescent vitamin C tablets. Cili King has achieved diverse product innovations, markedly increasing the shelf life and storage duration of their Cili products.

As a state-owned enterprise under the administration of the Panzhou Municipal Government, Cili King operates across the Cili industry, encompassing cultivation, production, research and development, and sales. Over the years, it has steadily expanded its production capacity and market presence, with valuable support from Ansteel Group. In 2021, Ansteel Group collaborated with Cili King to establish Guizhou’s inaugural production line for Cili effervescent tablets, diversifying the company’s product portfolio. In 2023, the Group’s backing extended to the set-up of a sterile paper box filling production line for Cili King, poised to commence operations and lay the groundwork for e distribution of fresh Cili pulp across beverage outlets nationwide.

Adhering to a well-structured development model that covers every facet of “cultivation, production, research, and sales,” Ansteel Group is fully committed to aiding Panzhou in advancing its Cili industry. Ansteel has joined hands with the government departments of Panzhou City to establish a dedicated Cili industry team. Together, they provide external support and assist local residents in achieving self-sufficiency, thereby facilitating a self-sustained Cili industry cycle from cultivation to consumption. This endeavor will significantly bolster the holistic development of Panzhou’s Cili industry chain.

Regarding Cili cultivation, apart from supporting road construction and engaging experts to offer technical guidance to farmers, the first secretary, Na Wenchuan, plans to harness the role of “trailblazer” by facilitating the sharing of experiences from successful, large-scale Cili growers. This initiative aims to motivate more farmers towards Cili cultivation, thereby elevating their economic prospects.

For production, the Group backs Cili processing companies in establishing diverse production lines to secure assured purchasers for the villagers’ produce. This guarantees that the fruits significantly uplift the living standards of the villagers.

In the realm of research and development, significant attention has been directed toward the foundations of cultivation, with a focus on enhancing the technological aspects of Cili cultivation, beginning with the seeds. Deputy Mayor Zhang Beigang has affirmed their commitment to leveraging the full spectrum of resources available through Ansteel Group and the dedicated Cili industry team, including collaborative ventures with university laboratories, in order to foster the growth of superior Cili varieties.

Regarding sales, the primary goal is to unblock distribution channels for Cili. A strategy of “substituting purchases for donations” while integrating with market-oriented platforms has been implemented to offer backend support for the expansion of the Cili industry. Ansteel Group strategically capitalizes on its market strengths, orchestrates resources from various quarters, and continually enhances supply-demand collaboration to boost Cili sales from Panzhou in provinces like Sichuan and Liaoning. Ansteel has also entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Panzhou City for the “substituting purchases for donations” initiative. In 2022, the Group directly procured Cili products valued at approximately RMB 7 million, distributing these as employee perks through the labor union. Furthermore, Ansteel has introduced Cili products to e-commerce platforms such as “Ansteel E-commerce” and “Central SOEs for Poverty Alleviation.” Online sales surpassed 4 million RMB. With Pangang Group’s support, Cili King products have also made their way into the sales channels of Panzhihua’s popular Pangang Ji Liang Xuan Supermarket. These products are readily available at dedicated counters, significantly improving the accessibility for employees and local residents to purchase Cili products.

“Guizhou is renowned for its exceptional Cili, and Panzhou takes pride in having the best Cili in Guizhou. Join me in savoring this wholesome treat - Cili Vitamin drink...” On May 9, 2020, at 7 PM, He Kai, the first secretary stationed in Qujiazhuang Village, Liuguan Street, Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, representing Pangang Group, enthusiastically interacted with the audience during Cili King’s Douyin and Tmall live streams. He introduced Cili King’s unique agricultural products, which included beverages, ham, and spicy chili oil, to the online viewers. Comments such as “Go, Panzhou!” “Great job, First Secretary!”’ and “I want to buy Cili products!” flooded into the live stream.

Zou Lei, Cili King’s Deputy General Manager, conveyed his gratitude after multiple interactions with the resident ofcials from Ansteel, “Every Ansteel resident ofcial brings invaluable expertise. They’ve introduced advanced concepts and a contemporary management system to us, including Ansteel’s lean and 5S management system. Their insights inspire our standardized operations, elevating our market competitiveness.”


From “old pals” to “new partners”
Panzhou, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Liupanshui City in Guizhou Province, is strategically located at the geometric center of Guiyang, Kunming, Nanning, Chengdu, and Chongqing. It has long been renowned as the “key to Yunnan and Guizhou” and the “gateway to Sichuan and Guizhou.” The historical ties between Liupanshui, where Panzhou is located, and Panzhihua, where Pangang Group is situated, can be traced back to the early days of the People’s Republic of China during the “Third Front” construction period. In 1964, a fundamental aspect of the long-term planning meeting for the “Third Front” construction was to create a coal base in Liupanshui, designed to complement the iron and steel complex in Panzhihua. In 1965, the Southwest Coal Mining Construction Command and the Industrial Area Government were established in Liupanshui and Panzhihua, respectively. They united to form a “coal-steel alliance,” using the return journeys of empty coal trucks from Liupanshui to transport iron ore back to Panzhihua. This synergy established a “coal comes, ore goes” pattern.

Reconnecting half a century later, these two “old pals” have found a renewed partnership. In the new era, these two cities have once again forged a close bond, thanks to their joint efforts in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization. Pangang Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ansteel, has established a “new partnership” with Panzhou City, offering targeted assistance to the latter. By 2023, Pangang Group has been aiding Panzhou City for 13 years, making a dedicated contribution to the success of Panzhou City’s poverty alleviation campaign and its comprehensive endeavor to promote rural revitalization. As an example, in the last two years, thanks to the dedicated work of resident officials, Hujiashan Village and Sanjiao tian Village have seen remarkable progress in several key areas, such as local industries, village environment, rural governance, and resident income. These achievements have received acclaim and commendation from leaders at all levels and the local populace, with extensive media coverage at national and provincial levels.

Ansteel Group, a major state-owned enterprise under central government management, was the first large-scale steel conglomerate to resume construction in the formative years of the People’s Republic of China and the earliest steel production base to be established. Ansteel has played a vital role in fostering the nation’s economic development and propelling the steel industry forward. It is revered as the “firstborn of the Republic’s steel industry” and the “cradle of New China’s steel industry.” While excelling in primary business operations, Ansteel Group has also demonstrated remarkable achievements in providing targeted assistance and advancing rural revitalization. Responding to the nationwide call for poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, Ansteel Group has proactively allocated substantial financial resources to assist Panzhou City. In 2022 alone, the Group invested over RMB 10 million in Panzhou, establishing five “Thousand Catty Orchard” Cili bases spanning a total of 1,102 mu, and allocated RMB 8.34 million for the construction of a Cili effervescent tablet industrial production line that benefits more than 100,000 farmers. Zou Lei fervently expressed, “The actions of Ansteel Group in Panzhou epitomize genuine philanthropy. Their extensive and profound support to the entire Cili industry, from cultivation, production, to marketing, is beyond mere task execution.”

In the new era of poverty alleviation and assistance, Ansteel Group has proactively answered the central government’s call, conscientiously fulfilling its social responsibilities, and actively partaking in targeted poverty reduction initiatives. The Group has allocated over RMB 80 million in support funds and implemented a comprehensive suite of measures tailored to targeted assistance. The five villages supported by the Group, including Gaoguan Village, Qujiazhuang Village, Yanwuzhai Village, Sanjiaotian Village, and Huajiashan Village, have all made significant progress on the path towards rural rejuvenation. Through hands-on experience, Ansteel has crafted a sustainable poverty reduction mechanism, showcasing the substantial role of central SOEs in the fight against poverty through its contributions to the Cili industry in Panzhou.

Over these years, Ansteel Group has promoted the “Golden Fruit,” a symbol of hope for fruit growers and a new vision for local businesses, moving beyond the limitations posed by the mountainous region and venturing onto the global stage as the “King of Vitamin C.” In the Wumeng mountain region, it is envisaged that more resident officials from Ansteel Group will persist in their unwavering efforts, crafting moving narratives that exemplify the Group’s dedication to rural development.