"The Yitong government is making great efforts to make the town, located in northern Changchun, a green back yard of the capital," said deputy Zeng Fantao, who is the head of Yitong.

Yitong is the only way for people from the south part of the province to visit Changchun.

The town is now making full use of its geographic advantage.

"The highway linking Yitong to Changchun city center is under construction," Zeng said. "It is expected to be completed in 2019. After the construction, it will only take about half an hour to travel between the two places."

He added that several industrial and tourism programs have been established in the town to support Changchun's development.

In addition, the town will continue the rural reforms and poverty alleviation.

"Yitong is a pilot for reforms of rural collective property rights and State-owned tree farms" said Zeng.

"27 poverty-striken villages in our county developed their own industries and the local government invested 26 million yuan ($4.1 million) to renovate 1,629 old houses. The central and provincial governments also funded the renovation program."

Yitong government is currently working on specific methods to improve its residents' health care.

Deputy Zeng Fantao says the Yitong government intends to build the town into a green back yard of Changchun, capital of Jilin province. [Photo/cnjiwang.com]