CHONGQING (CQNEWS) In recent news, according to Xiushan County Overseas Employment Service Centre of Chongqing, since overseas Chinese workers were first sent abroad, over 1,100 have earned wages worth 100 million yuan or more.

Located in the hinterland of the Wuling Mountains, Xiushan, on the border between Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou, is one of the most poverty-stricken rural counties in Chongqing. Although traditionally labour export has mainly taken place in coastal regions, in 2009, in order to broaden income sources of migrant workers, the county established the centre, offering services for migrant workers going abroad.

“I worked in Angola for two years, and made 300,000 yuan.” said 53-year-old Wang Ansheng. Wang is one of the first groups of overseas workers. During his two years in Angola, he worked as a chef, builder, as well as various other manual labour jobs. After returning home in 2011, he opened a mineral water store in Xiushan using the money he earned.

According to Liu Dejun, there are many who follow this example, earning start-up money abroad and then coming back to open personal businesses. Based on pre-job training and years of overseas working experience, these workers have gained much insight into technology and management making it easier for them to return and set up their personal business at home.

In the past five years, around 1,100 Xiushan residents went to work in Korea, Yemen, Bahamas, and Angola, earning over 100 million yuan. Two of them started businesses after returning back home and have become entrepreneurs through contracting projects, running factories, and opening stores. (Translated by Li Jiali, Fathom Language Limited)