As autumn brings refreshing breezes and the promise of a bountiful harvest, two contrasting yet interconnected landscapes unfold: an energy production hub where coal flows in abundance and rural communities alive with the warmth of everyday life. For years, Wuhai Energy under CHN Energy has actively fulfilled its responsibilities as a centrally administered state-owned enterprise (SOE), advancing rural revitalization through concrete action.
Generation after generation of mining employees have ventured beyond the mines into the countryside, bringing the energy sector's dedication and sense of responsibility to the vast landscape of rural revitalization. Their efforts have brought greater warmth to rural communities and made people's lives better, forging a path to shared prosperity through close cooperation between enterprises and local communities.
Employees of Limin Company help a local herder repair livestock enclosures.
In Baoritala Gacha, a village in Wulan Town, Otog Banner, in southwestern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China, residents had long struggled with limited access to domestic water. In the past, the village had no centralized water supply system, forcing herders to drive elsewhere to collect water for daily use. As the designated assistance provider, Wuhai Energy Limin Company dispatched a resident work team to conduct in-depth visits and research in the pastoral area.
The team secured special assistance funding and advanced a series of projects, including the construction of a standardized water tower and the installation of water pipelines. With the commissioning of a 50-ton standardized water tower, clean tap water now flows directly into herders' homes, finally resolving a longstanding water shortage. The life-giving spring water now reaches deep into the grasslands and brings relief to the hearts of local herders.
"Winters used to be bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 20 or 30 degrees Celsius. The roads were slippery and difficult to navigate, and a single trip to collect water could take half a day," one local herder recalled. "Now we have clean water whenever we need it. We no longer have to endure those difficult trips in winter, and life keeps getting better!" These heartfelt words reflect the most genuine appreciation of the local community.
The drinking water project is just one example of Wuhai Energy's efforts to support rural revitalization. Over the years, from pastoral communities on the grasslands to villages along the Yellow River, a series of practical assistance projects have delivered tangible benefits, addressed gaps in rural development and laid a solid foundation for better livelihoods.
Pinggou Coal Mine employees help farmers in Hepan Village sell grapes.
The joy of a good harvest can quickly turn to disappointment when produce fails to sell. Wuhai Energy has developed innovative assistance models, using consumption-based assistance to connect producers with markets, help farmers secure sales and unlock the endogenous momentum of rural industries.
Every grape harvest season, the specialty grapes of Bayinusu Village ripen in abundance, filling the air with their fragrance and weighing heavily on the vines. Yet behind this picture of plenty lies a persistent concern for local farmers: fresh grapes have a short shelf life, and a glut of produce entering the market at once can easily lead to unsold stock, putting an entire year's harvest at risk.
"We have a good harvest every year, but we worry every year. If we can't sell the grapes, more than half a year's hard work goes to waste," one local grower said.
After learning about the situation, Laoshidan Coal Mine, part of Wuhai Energy, organized employees to visit the fields and inspect the quality of the grapes. The mine then purchased large quantities of the unsold produce, helping farmers overcome their immediate marketing difficulties.
Beyond addressing individual cases of unsold produce, Wuhai Energy is also committed to establishing long-term assistance mechanisms. For five consecutive years, Pinggou Coal Mine and Hepan Village have carried out the Heartwarming Agricultural Support initiative. To address unstable markets for agricultural products such as grapes and pumpkins, the mine purchases local specialty agricultural products each year. The initiative has gradually expanded from helping individual growers to supporting the entire village. These reliable orders have given farmers greater confidence in developing crop and livestock farming.
"Coal mine employees come to help us every year. We no longer have to worry about our fruit going to waste in the fields, so we can plant more and do so with confidence!" These words from a local villager reflect the genuine bonds between enterprises and local communities, as well as the tangible changes brought about by their cooperation.
Laoshidan Coal Mine employees help farmers harvest and sell grapes.
Rural revitalization requires not only practical assistance but also genuine care. Drawing on its large workforce, Wuhai Energy has established multiple volunteer teams dedicated to rural revitalization. Taking off their work uniforms and stepping into the countryside, these employees bring the warmth and compassion of the mining community to every corner of rural life.
During the busy spring farming season, fields are filled with people hard at work. Older villagers often lack sufficient labor to manage spring planting, tend crops, prune branches and maintain their farmland. After learning of their difficulties, volunteers from various mines use their time off to lend a hand, helping villagers tend grapevines, clear weeds and repair farm facilities.
"These young people aren't afraid of getting dirty or tired. They came all this way to help me, finishing in half a day what would have taken me several days. Their kindness means so much!" an elderly villager said, watching the volunteers at work with gratitude.
In their spare time, volunteers also take part in improving rural living environments by clearing clutter, removing roadside litter and keeping village roads clean. They regularly organize caring initiatives for elderly residents and children, bringing them books, school supplies and daily necessities, while offering companionship and conversation to brighten their lives. Their accumulated volunteer service of tens of thousands of hours stands as a testament to the commitment and sense of responsibility shown by the company's young employees in advancing rural revitalization.
From improving basic living conditions and supporting local industries to providing volunteer services, Wuhai Energy continues to turn its assistance commitments into concrete results. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), the company will continue to fulfill its social responsibilities as a centrally administered SOE, explore innovative approaches to assistance and deepen cooperation with local communities.
Through these efforts, it will support rural industrial development, improve living environments and enhance people's livelihoods, working hand in hand with local communities to advance rural revitalization.
