Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA) is strategically utilizing the digital economy to promote the synchronized growth of live-streaming e-commerce, the integration of agritourism, and the production of short-form rural videos.

The village anchors initiative in Zhangjialou subdistrict is rapidly gaining traction, expanding its team to nearly 20 local hosts. This group has collectively published over 500 short videos, generating more than 20 million total views online.

These anchors highlight authentic rural life, from cherry blossoms to blueberry harvests, creating an immersive experience that successfully attracts high-frequency, short-haul urban tourists.

To professionalize this emerging sector, Qingdao WCNA established Qingdao's first rural live-streaming e-commerce association. The association recruits and provides unified training to village party leaders, project champions, and returning entrepreneurs, while also implementing strict quality and packaging standards for all local specialties sold online.

The influence of village anchors now extends beyond sales. Recently, the village party leader of Beiliangjiazhuang village in Zhuhai subdistrict led villagers to film their first rural short video using just a mobile phone, completing the project in just 16 days. The video has since generated over 290 million online views, creating immediate demand for local products like wild chestnuts and mushrooms mentioned in the script.

This year, Qingdao WCNA has conducted 640 agricultural promotional live streams, developed over 400 e-commerce leaders, and driven annual sales for more than 50 quality farm products past 20 million yuan ($2.8 million), demonstrating the tangible benefits of its digital strategy.

A rural live-streaming yard in Dacun town, Qingdao WCNA. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]