Jiaozuo, Henan: Reliable Power Boosts the Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Industry

Staff inspect for potential electrical safety hazards 

Photo by Cui Hongling

On January 6, the dining area at Laotian Chemian Restaurant in Xuliang Town, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, was full of customers.

"The chewiness of our Chemian (pulled noodles) is one thing, but what really matters is the broth. Getting the broth right depends greatly on controlling the heat. In the past, we used coal briquettes, which made it hard to manage the temperature and was not very clean. Later, with help from the power supply company, we completed the switch from coal to electricity. Now the heat is easy to control, making the operation worry‑free, efficient, and clean," said Li Weilin, the fourth-generation inheritor of Laotian Chemian.

Chemian from Xuliang Town is a local specialty in Jiaozuo City with a long history, attracting many visitors who come to taste it. In October 2022, Laotian Chemian was included in the fourth batch of county-level intangible cultural heritage items. Given the reliance of Chemian-making on electricity, State Grid Jiaozuo Power Supply Company has assigned dedicated staff to provide area-based services to restaurants according to their locations. These employees stay informed about electricity needs, check for potential hazards, and handle unexpected power faults. Additionally, the head of each power supply station visits the restaurants every month to solicit feedback and suggestions on power services.

In recent years, local intangible cultural heritage foods have become an important driver of rural revitalization in many regions. State Grid Jiaozuo Power Supply Company has deeply integrated its electricity services into the local intangible cultural heritage food industry chain. Through reliable power supply and value-added services, the company continues to support equipment upgrades and capacity expansion in this sector. This stable power supply supports the production, processing, and industrial development of local intangible cultural heritage foods, injecting sustained momentum into rural revitalization.