The first "Farmer-Painter" skills competition and meeting were held in Xinjian village in Dinghai district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province.

The event showcased Dinghai's achievements in utilizing ecological conservation to transform local villages and fuel common prosperity.

During the event, several projects to boost rural development were signed to support high-quality development of Dinghai's countryside. Notably, the "Adventure of Pet Island" tourism project on Dongju Island plans to invest 10 million yuan ($1.39 million) to develop boutique homestays, themed dining, a pet park, and hands-on farming experiences.

Another key project about a fully automated wine production facility will invest 12 million yuan to process late-season yangmei — also known as waxberry or Chinese bayberry — from Baiquan's Gaoxie village into plum wine, enhancing the entire value chain of this local specialty.

Participants also toured various cultural corridor sites, experiencing firsthand the region's vibrant new rural economy.