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." "Now, we don't consider ourselves purely urban or rural," Xiao remarked. The farm symbolizes a timeless circle that has encompassed their lives for generations.
