He added Cun Chao introduces trendy tools such as metaverse and aerial viewing for watching the games to enhance the experience of the audience. It also created a shared economy model in which 50 percent of brand benefits were allocated to the local people.

"Rural areas, when developing new quality productive forces, should consider their own advantages. Instead of eyeing only high-tech industries, the potential in upgrading traditional industries is also enormous," he said.

Li Dong, a professor at Tsinghua University's Institute for Urban Governance and Sustainable Development in Beijing, said Rongjiang has cool weather, good geological locations and a lot of sports lovers who share a passion for soccer, all helping Cun Chao to prosper.

Although the Cun Chao was initially a non-profit sporting event, its rising popularity has unexpectedly boosted consumption and investment, he said. He suggested that when local governments consider pathways to modernization, they should prioritize identifying genuine needs, accurately assessing resource endowments and industrial foundations and adopting scientific and effective policies.