Siping has addressed challenges agricultural regions face by integrating technology and new business models. With rural-to-urban migration and youth concentrating in cities, the city has bridged productivity gaps through mechanization.

"We have 69,600 tractors, achieving a comprehensive agricultural mechanization rate exceeding 95 percent," Wang said. Siping has been recognized as a national demonstration city for the complete mechanization of major grain crops.

As the birthplace of China's first farmers' professional cooperative, Siping has actively explored new development paths. The city has implemented a quality improvement initiative for agricultural enterprises, fostering 6,828 cooperatives in areas such as planting, breeding and processing.

These efforts have significantly improved incomes. The per capita annual income of farmers in Siping rose from 15,890 yuan in 2020 to 19,491 yuan in 2023. Siping also emphasizes its rich black soil culture. "We aim to tell Siping's story through its culture," Wang said.

The city has revamped its work on revolutionary heritage, redesigning the Siping Battle Memorial Hall with the theme "Fighting for New China". The city has also established its identity as a "Heroic City, Red Siping", inspiring residents to contribute to high-quality development and revitalization.

Siping is committed to preserving and promoting Manchu cultural heritage. Manchu folk songs and the Manchu flower stick dance have been designated as provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, while the Manchu pearl ball game has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.

Han Junhong contributed to this story.

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn