Credit union proves engine for prosperity

He said more than 90 percent of the loans made to 200,000 people in the county were by the union, and nearly everyone in the county now has a credit file and rating.

In 2010, Leishan's GDP grew 14.3 percent to 900 million yuan.

Total grain production hit 56,200 tons, up 6.79 percent year-on-year, and its tea industry expanded particularly fast, having sales that reached 731 tons last year, worth 87.75 million yuan.

"The credit union is so much part of life for local people, that sometimes the government consults it when making policies," said Long Zhibo.

The union's steady flow of credit has also helped maintain stable food production - vital in a province where 92.5 percent of its land area is mountainous, and in a country where any big fluctuations in grain output can threaten food supply.

The Chinese government has repeatedly stressed the importance of food production and its link to rural development.

Premier Wen Jiabao recently reiterated that rural issues surrounding agriculture, the countryside and farmers remain of "paramount importance", suggesting that more financial resources be allocated to rural areas to raise food production and promote farmers' well-being.

The State Council has invested more than 6 trillion yuan over the past decade to support rural development and grain production.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission, the banking regulator, has also been encouraging lenders such as Guizhou Rural Credit Union.

The latest figures show there are 858 such financial institutions in rural areas in Guizhou.

In their daily life, Wang added, farmers with good credit files can only be good for the economy. "That's especially true in 'credit-worthy' villages and townships. The power of public opinion is so strong, that individuals have to think carefully before they do anything bad," he said.

Guizhou Rural Credit Union credit files are never shared with other lenders, but are open to local government examination, and have been used, for instance, in the past to solve criminal cases, Wang said.

Contact the writers at gaochangxin@chinadaily.com.cn and Yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn