Improving livelihoods

Helping to lead the charge in tapping Kuancheng's agricultural strengths for the next green stages of development is homegrown company Shen Li Food. The food processing group works with 200,000 local farmers to offer more than 70 chestnut and related products that are exported to more than 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany and Japan.

Business innovation measures include long-term R&D and technological tie-ups with academic institutions to ensure that nutrition and production levels meet the highest standards, according to the company.

"We work side by side with the farmers and local residents to grow our chestnut industry, bringing real benefits to the economy and improving livelihoods. The UN heritage listing will allow more people across the world to enjoy our produce," says Han Guodong, the company's deputy general manager.