Honghe Overseas Chinese Farm in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Hongqiao Community of Yuanjiang County, Yuxi City (Formerly Honghe State-Owned Overseas Chinese Farm)
History and Background
The Honghe State-Owned Overseas Chinese Farm Hospital is located in Honghe Overseas Chinese Farm, Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. Established in 1960, the farm has since accommodated over 1,900 repatriated overseas Chinese from Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. In 1975, management of the farm was transferred from the agricultural sector to the Provincial Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. In June 1988, the farm was reformed and its management was handed over to the local government. The Honghe Overseas Chinese Farm covers an area of 5.41 square kilometers, with a total population of 1,170, including 116 returned overseas Chinese and 147 family members. The main crops include mangoes, bananas, and jujubes, with aquaculture being another characteristic industry.
Community Development
Formerly known as the Honghe State-Owned Overseas Chinese Farm(玉溪市元江县红河华侨农场), Hongqiao Community(红侨社区) is now home to residents from 11 ethnic groups, including Hani, Yi, Dai, Miao, and Jing, along with returned overseas Chinese, and families from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The Yuanjiang County government adheres to the principle of strengthening the sense of community among the Chinese nation, following the goal of “attracting, retaining, prospering, and enjoying” to build an inclusive and harmonious community environment. This effort continuously promotes innovation in ethnic work and aims to create a livable and business-friendly “harmonious community” and “harmonious countryside” in the new era.
Industry and Economy
Laohuqing Group: The Core of the Mango Industry Laohuqing is a group focused on mango cultivation, which started in the 1960s when repatriated overseas Chinese introduced mango varieties that were successfully cultivated. Mangoes gradually became the main economic crop for local farmers. Currently, Laohuqing has 1,500 acres of mango plantations.
To further advance the mango industry, Laohuqing established the “Yuanjiang County Qinnong Fruit Professional Cooperative.” The cooperative has 161 member households, covering 1,113 acres of mango cultivation. Their products include varieties like Tainong, Golden Phoenix, Parain, Australian Mango, Jinhuang Mango, and Three-Year Mango. In 2023, the cooperative produced 1,500 tons of mangoes, achieving sales of over 7 million yuan, and has developed into a professional cooperative integrating fruit planting, sales, and improvement services with the registered trademark “Laohuqing.”
Innovation and Development
Su Yongren, a repatriated overseas Chinese from Vietnam in 1978, has been engaged in the mango industry throughout his life. He led villagers to develop e-commerce, producing and selling dried mangoes, significantly increasing the added value of mangoes. In recent years, the demand for dried mango products has exceeded supply, with product value far surpassing that of fresh mangoes.
In 2022, the cooperative raised 53,000 yuan to pave a 360-meter sightseeing path in the Mango Forest Park. The construction involved active participation from members who voluntarily contributed land and labor, fostering a spirit of community cooperation. Now, the park has an additional 400 meters of sightseeing paths. During the mango season, the cooperative received over 5,000 visitors, boosting local tourism and instilling confidence among farmers in the continued development of the mango industry.
Conclusion
Hongqiao Community, evolving from a historic overseas Chinese farm, has achieved economic and social harmony through developing specialized industries and innovative business models. The community’s multi-ethnic coexistence and cultural integration create a harmonious and livable environment.
