Foreign Students Praise State Grid Mianyang Electric Power Supply Company: “Green Energy” Revitalizes Qiang Homeland

When millennia-old Qiang intangible cultural heritage meets reliable electricity, and the "village on the clouds" establishes new energy charging stations, a group of international students embarks on a journey of green, low-carbon exploration here. On November 14, the “Lighting Up the Future, Going Green Together—International Students Visit State Grid” event, hosted by State Grid Mianyang Electric Power Supply Company and co-organized by Southwest University of Science and Technology, took place in Beichuan County, Mianyang—the only Qiang autonomous county in China. Ten international students experienced firsthand the pulse of green and low-carbon development in rural China.

At the Beichuan Qiang Water-Polished Lacquer Craft Center, students were captivated and impressed by the 5,000-year-old intangible cultural heritage craft demonstrated by master craftsman Zhu Hongzhi. Under his guidance, students experienced the electric polishing process. Within just one minute, the rough surface on a small bowl became smooth and shiny, drawing exclamations from students.

Compared with traditional manual production, modern water-polished lacquer techniques now incorporate advanced electric tools, integrating electricity into processes such as shaping, polishing, and grinding, which enhances efficiency and artistic expression, while maintaining zero pollution throughout production. “It used to take six months to a year to complete a fine piece. Now, it can be done in three months,” Zhu remarked.

Empowered by electricity, water-polished lacquer products have now reached markets beyond the mountains, supporting an industry chain with an annual output value of 15 million yuan, benefiting over 500 households with an average increase in income of 5,000 yuan per year. “Electricity plays a crucial role in preserving and innovating traditional Chinese arts. That’s truly remarkable,” said Monica from El Salvador.

Entering Shiyi Village—known as the “mountain village on the clouds”,students immersed in the rich Qiang cultural atmosphere blended harmoniously with modern rural landscapes. As a National Beautiful Leisure Village and a provincial model village for rural revitalization, Shiyi has deeply integrated electrification into its development, with electric furniture, electrified homestays, electric tea roasting, and other applications of electricity, inspiring broad admiration among students.  

At the “Jimi Power Service Station,” symbolizing “heart to heart,” the students learned about power grid construction, power supply services, and achievements in low-carbon development. They explored digital smart equipment such as the Power Convenience Service Cloud Terminal and spoke with local power company employee to understand how to bridge the last hundred meters of power service, enabling villagers to access convenient, modern power services without leaving the village.

A student from Zimbabwe remarked, “This kind of service that reaches the very end of rural communities ensures that the benefits of development are shared by everyone. It’s truly valuable.”

Reliable electricity has not only brought prosperity and convenience to Shiyi Village but has also illuminated its path toward green and low-carbon growth. At the parking lot near the Qiang village entrance, students witnessed a vivid example of Shiyi Village's sustainable development—Mianyang's first rural charging station. With six charging piles, it facilitates "zero-carbon travel", integrating clean energy into village planning, encouraging residents to adopt greener transportation methods and jointly protecting the village’s natural environment.

In recent years, State Grid Mianyang Electric Power Supply Company has focused on ecological revitalization in rural areas by accelerating infrastructure development such as all-electric guesthouses, all-electric kitchens, and smart streetlights. Electricity now powers the industrial chains of specialty agricultural products like tea and loquats, with green and low-carbon development concepts quietly transforming every corner of this picturesque countryside.

This event provides a valuable platform for global youth to understand modern power systems and green, low-carbon development in China. State Grid Mianyang Electric Power Supply Company will continue to practice green development, promote cross-cultural exchange, enhance the State Grid’s brand image, and contribute Mianyang’s wisdom and strength to global sustainable development.