Zhu Yabo is on her way to this year's two sessions. [Photo/gojilin.gov.cn]

In Gongpeng town, Yushu city, Northeast China's Jilin province, Zhu Yabo, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), is the busiest person in the village. Two days before heading to Beijing for the two sessions, she was still driving to a neighboring city to handle business affairs. Even on the train to the capital, her phone kept ringing – every call related to the village's specialty agricultural products.

Zhu Yabo has transformed her village's economy through flower cultivation, allowing locals to earn a living at home instead of seeking jobs elsewhere. Thanks to her efforts, new houses are being built, and more villagers now own cars, a testament to the prosperity she has brought to the community.

A farmer herself, Zhu pioneered flower cultivation in the village. Initially, her flowers were used for wedding decorations, but as demand grew from landscaping projects, she expanded the variety of plants in her nursery. Today, her flower and seedling base employs nearly 100 people, each earning an average annual income of up to 20,000 yuan ($2,760).

NPC deputy Zhu Yabo works at her flower and seedling base. [Photo/gojilin.gov.cn]

With landscaping quality standards rising, she pursued further education and earned senior agronomist certifications. To help flower businesses reduce costs and improve efficiency, she introduced modern landscaping equipment, such as sprayers and weeders, significantly enhancing work efficiency.

This year, as part of efforts to revitalize rural areas, Jilin is launching a pilot marigold industry project. The government will provide seedlings, while farmers will cultivate the flowers, which will be purchased back in bulk.

As a flower cultivation expert, Zhu Yabo will train villagers, teaching them the best growing techniques and essential precautions. Her nursery has offered free technical guidance for over two decades and even provided high-difficulty flower seedlings at no cost.

"I come from a rural background, and at this year's two sessions, I will continue to speak up for my fellow villagers," Zhu said. "I urge the government to introduce and refine policies supporting agriculture and rural development. The flower industry is vital to ecological progress, and flowers bring beauty to our lives. I am committed to this path and will keep pushing forward."