Bao Xinmin, former Party chief of the Yucun village in Anji, Zhejiang province. ZHAO YIMENG/CHINA DAILY

On Aug 15, 2005, Xi proposed the "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" concept during a visit to Yucun.

"He said shutting down mines was a wise decision, and that diminished my concerns and hesitation," Bao said.

The local land and resources bureau started ecological restoration projects in 2007 on three mines and land rehabilitation work, which covered 87,158 square meters, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The restoration work included two parts－reforesting the hills and reclaiming the land of residue piles and processing plants. It took millions of yuan to complete the restoration projects that turned stones and barren hills into lush mountains, according to the local bureau.

The unemployed villagers were encouraged to start individual enterprises, which focused on bamboo products like chopsticks and cool mats. Meanwhile, the village developed a white tea industry.

Encouraged by the improved environment, tourists flooded to the village. Homestays have expanded from eight to more than 30, and another 40 markets were set up to sell specialties that generated income for the local people, Bao said.

Villagers understand why lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. The past 15 years proved that they have taken the right road, he added.

Bao said they planned to cooperate with an investor to develop environmentally friendly tourism connected with the bamboo forests in the village.

"Next, we will focus on the sewage treatment of factories," he said.