Xu Zhangshun, secretary of Dongkoukeng village Party branch in Kaihua county, is awarded the title "Golden Bull" at the 2020 Zhejiang Rural Revitalization Leaders event. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

In East China's Zhejiang province, the list of the 2020 Zhejiang Rural Revitalization Leaders were announced at an event on Jan 10 and Xu Zhangshun, secretary of the Dongkoukeng village Party branch -- in Yanglin town, in Kaihua county administered by Quzhou city -- was awarded the title "Golden Bull," according to local officials.

In addition, the Kaihua Media Conglomerate was awarded the Excellent Organization Award for its leading role in the rural vitalization of Zhejiang in 2020.

Xu Zhangshun became head of Dongkengkou village in 2011 and was elected as the secretary of the Party village branch in 2014. At the time, Dongkengkou was still a backward village due to its despoiled environment and weak economy, officials said, adding that the cumulative debt of the village was more than 700,000 yuan ($108,108).

In order to better carry out remedial work, Xu vigorously implemented a "1+8" system involving Party members in the village – under which one Party member helped out eight families.

Xu also helped initiate a project to clear the water surounding the village. In addition to reinforcing the Dongkengwu reservoir, a water purification dam was built and a "beautiful town" gradually took shape, officials said, providing a model of what can be done for all Kaihua county.

"This year is the beginning of the 14th Five-Year plan (2021-25)," Xu said.

"In the upcoming five years, Dongkengkou village will take the 'rural future community' as its theme, to promote the modernization and intelligent transformation of rural life and create a beautiful and livable village."