Combo photo shows 21-year-old nurse Yang Minfang, 27-year-old doctor Wu Qiuyun and 23-year-old chemical lab analyst Zhong Shanshan posing for a picture (L-R, main image in the layout); and the three of them performing their duties (smaller images in the right-side column), at a rural hospital in Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Post-1990s generation has played an active role at the forefront of local poverty alleviation campaigns in Rong'an County.

RONG'AN, Oct. 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Hemmed in a mountainous area where stony desertification holds sway, Rong'an County in south China has been struggling against dire poverty that is aggravated by population aging and loss of labour force.

In the past years, many from the post-1990s generation have played active roles at the forefront of local poverty alleviation campaigns.

Embracing a range of professions, the younger generation working in Rong'an helps pour renewed vigour to a county eager to throw off the shackles of destitution.

Statistics show that the county's poverty rate dropped to 3.03 percent in 2018, down from 23.68 percent two years ago. Some 47,500 residents in the county have been lifted out of poverty during the same period.

At the moment, 6,761 residents are still in need of help before they overcome poverty.

Combo photo shows 28-year-old Zhang Jian, a poverty alleviation team member, posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Zhang performing his duties (smaller images in the right-side column), in Liangcun Village of Dongqi Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2019. In March 2018, Zhang volunteered to stay and work as a poverty alleviation team member in Liangcun Village. Before that, he was a civil servant in the city of Liuzhou and his decision was met with opposition from his girlfriend, who later showed approval for his work when she saw the situation in the village.The couple decide to hold their wedding banquet when poverty alleviation work in Rong'an County achieves all-round success. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 26-year-old Lu Rongping, a poverty alleviation data collector, posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Lu performing his duties (smaller images in the right-side column), in Gangwei Village of Dapo Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 21, 2019. Lu joined the military upon graduation from college in 2015. When he retired from the ranks in 2017, he decided to work under poverty alleviation programs in his hometown. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 27-year-old Zhang Qing posing for a picture in Si'an Village, where he works as the Party chief (main image in the layout); and Zhang performing his duties in Si'an Village (smaller images in the right-side column), in Banlan Township of Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 20, 2019. It's been more than a year since Zhang came to work in Si'an Village. He and his co-workers have helped 100 households in the village get rid of poverty by planting kumquats and cedar trees. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 19-year-old nurse Liao Tiantian posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Liao performing her duties (smaller images in the right-side column), at a rural hospital in Dapo Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 23, 2019. Liao began to work as a rural hospital nurse after she completed her medical trainings in August 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 27-year-old Wei Yuqi, deputy mayor of Banlan Township, posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Wei performing her duties (smaller images in the right-side column), in Banlan Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2019. An experienced poverty alleviation worker, Wei took office as deputy mayor of Banlan Township in March 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 29-year-old Chen Tian'an posing in the agricultural development company he runs (main image in the layout); and on-site scenes in Chen's company (smaller images in the right-side column) in Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2019. Both of Chen's parents suffer from physical disability and the family used to live under financial pressure. In 2016, Chen and a few classmates started their own e-commerce business selling local specialties such as kumquats. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 28-year-old poverty alleviation worker Zhong Zhenni posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Zhong performing her duties (smaller images in the right-side column), in Dongqi Township of Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2019. Zhong began to work in Dongqi Township in 2016, whereas her husband works in downtown of Rong'an County. The couple decide to have their children when poverty alleviation work in Rong'an County achieves all-round success. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 29-year-old rural doctor Yang Zhixian posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Yang's work and life (smaller images in the right-side column), in Banlan Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 23, 2019. Yang has been working in Banlan Township for seven years. His girlfriend, Yang Meiliu, joined him to work as a kindergarten teacher after graduation from college this year. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Combo photo shows 21-year-old kindergarten teacher Yang Meiliu posing for a picture (main image in the layout); and Yang's work and life (smaller images in the right-side column), in Banlan Township, Rong'an County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 23, 2019. Yang's boyfriend, Yang Zhixian, has been working in Banlan Township for seven years. She joined him to work as a kindergarten teacher after graduation from college this year. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)■