In Wandian village, Ningbo, the local community is benefiting from a strong economy, generous dividends, and a range of welfare programs aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents.

On Jan 8, the village's administrative hall was filled with residents registering to receive their annual dividends.

A 60-year-old villager surnamed Shi, shared her excitement, saying, "There are only two of us at home, and we'll receive 54,000 yuan ($7,365). It's truly heartwarming to see our lives improving thanks to the great leadership in our village."

"We'll receive 162,000 yuan. We're still deciding how to spend it because we already have everything we need," said another resident surnamed Dong, from a family of six.

Wandi village is home to nine museums and art exhibition halls, featuring intangible cultural heritage, flower arrangement art, and qipao dresses. The tertiary industry, which includes tourism, contributed to the majority of the village's income.

Cai Guocheng, the village's Party secretary, explained that the village has 1,181 residents and a total of 1,157 shares. The village's collective income for 2024 showed strong performance, with each shareholder receiving 23,000 yuan in dividends. In addition, a special "Civilized Village" award granted each villager an additional 4,000 yuan, totaling more than 30 million yuan in payouts. This marks the 13th consecutive year the village has issued dividends, bringing the total distributed amount since 2011 to 243 million yuan.

Beyond financial gains, the village has invested in various community improvements. These include 100,000 yuan for the renovation of the Elderly Care Center, 15,000 yuan for new audiovisual equipment in the community center, and electric vehicle charging stations. The village has also provided medical support, including free health checkups for residents and financial aid for those in need.

Residents are thankful for these efforts. One villager, reflecting on the village's transformation, said, "I never imagined our lives could be this good. With the village's development, it's made a real difference in our daily lives. We're now enjoying a much more comfortable life."

Residents of Wandi village come to register for their dividends. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]