Residents of Xiazi village, Xide county, Sichuan province pose for a photo with donors from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Non-governmental support from Hangzhou, a city in East China, has played an increasingly important role in pulling western Chinese regions out of poverty, local media reported on June 16.

Their recent efforts in Xide county and its 18 villages in Sichuan province are particularly notable. The remote southwestern corner of China was still on the national list of poverty-stricken areas at the time.

Nineteen enterprises and four non-governmental organizations with 1.85 million yuan ($261,358) in funding have partnered with the 18 villages. They will provide the area with industrial support, e-commerce assistance, diverse work opportunities, and talent training.

In addition to donating 100,000 yuan, Beibei Group, a Hangzhou-based online seller of products for mothers and babies, is planning to help 93 impoverished families in Bajiu village. They will work to revitalize pillar industries such as pepper, nut growing, and beekeeping by helping sell agricultural products and offering e-commerce training.

Bajiu village is considering using part of the donation to support the studies of children from 64 impoverished families.

"Financial and material donations can only alleviate urgent needs. What we need to do is teach the impoverished areas how to fish," said an official from Jianggan district.

A shabby dwelling in Geze village, Xide county, Sichuan province [Photo/zjol.com.cn]