An aerial view of farmland in Zhoushan. [Photo provided by Chen Yongjian for the official news website of Zhoushan]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province has accelerated rural vitalization over the past five years by narrowing urban–rural, regional, and income gaps, focusing on modern agriculture, rural development, and farmers' income growth.

Grain planting now exceeds 100,000 mu (6,661 hectares), and total output has increased since 2020, strengthening food security on the islands. Featured local industries such as tea, mussels, and fruits expanded through integrated industrial chains, with several products earning provincial recognition.

Industrial integration has boosted rural income. Zhoushan now has 65 leading agricultural enterprises above the municipal level and over 1,300 new agricultural business entities, benefiting more than 10,000 farming households annually. Talent programs have attracted young entrepreneurs back to villages, while agricultural modernization has advanced through major agricultural upgrading initiatives and the expansion of digital agriculture.

Reforms have unleashed new development momentum. The repurposing of idle farmhouses and land has created additional jobs. Most villages now have a collective operating income above 500,000 yuan ($70,640).

Rural living environments have improved through housing upgrades, road enhancement and farmland management. Zhoushan is building a unified development framework connecting key islands, strengthening resource flows and supporting broad-based prosperity across the archipelago.