Jia Hao - Tropical Spark
This is a heartfelt story about my friend Xiao and her family's journey in the rubber industry in Southwest China, from its rise to its eventual decline. They devoted their lives with passion and unwavering commitment to this lush tropical rainforest land.
In 1960, around 20,000 young adults from central China relocated to border towns to be a part of the border construction efforts. They transformed barren mountains into fertile fields and vibrant rubber plantations, including Xishuangbanna, where our story unfolds. These 20,000 young adults ventured into this untouched forest with a profound belief: "We come from Chairman Mao's hometown, and we must honor his legacy."
Xiao's grandparents were among these courageous individuals, just 18 years old at the time. They embarked on a month-long journey to reach this pristine forest. Decades of tireless work gradually turned the virgin forests into thriving rubber farms. "Now, we don't consider ourselves purely urban or rural," Xiao remarked. Her grandmother shared that they had called this tight-knit community 'the farm' their home for over three decades, and they planned to rest here for eternity after more than 60 years of dedication. As the city expanded and flourished, residential buildings sprung up around their farm. In 2023, a company purchased Grandma's fishpond, filling it with soil to cultivate passion fruit. Now, the only inheritance Grandma could pass down to her granddaughter Xiao was the orchard. "I suppose young people these days may not value orchards as much, but it's the only legacy I can leave for her," Grandma mused. Xiao's parents also worked on the rubber plantation, but tragically, both lost their lives due to a lack of access to proper medical care. This is why the family photo only includes Xiao's grandparents and herself. The farm symbolizes a timeless circle that has encompassed their lives for generations.
