The town that used to support the Communist revolution is now a center for e-commerce. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Long March is a military retreat by the Red Army and led by Mao Zedong. This event in China's history began in Zhongfu village found in the east of Fujian Province.
Townspeople then gave the Communist troops food and supply as they journey to meet with other comrade-in-arms at Huining county, Southwest China's Gansu province.
At present, the residents of Zhongfu are making an income through e-commerce. There are already 50 online stores from the area.
Zhong Changyang, head of Zhongfu village, said that e-commerce is helping the local economy because local produce can sell for a higher price. The village head hopes that this will encourage migrant workers to come back home.
Luo Tianling, a village local, earned 10 million yuan through her online shop. She is the town's top online seller.
He sells passion fruit from his 13.3-hectare farm as well as fruits and vegetables from nearby places.
Xiang Lihua, a former migrant worker, sells ginger candy and homemade chili sauce in Taobao after returning home in 2015. She has a net income of more than 100,000 yuan or about $15,000.
She is earning more online than from her wage as a migrant worker.
"People who come to visit our revolutionary village will purchase local farm produce through our online shops after returning to their home. My online shop receives orders every day," Luo said.
Local governments have created reward schemes for successful online entrepreneurs, who receive free training and free network and power installation. Best sales reports are given incentives.
Shan-Ling Pan, a professor at the University of New South Wales Business School, wrote in his commentary, "The new e-commerce on Taobao brings social gains along with new income for neglected communities."
He added, "In effect, a belief in self-sufficiency germinates, and weakens the learned helplessness in some rural parts of China."
