In China, the development of hydropower has brought massive economic benefits. However, it can involve the resettlement of whole communities along waterways. Critics say many of the displaced aren't properly compensated. Our reporter Cen Ziyuan visited a resettlement village in the southern province of Yunnan to see how their lives have changed.

Hardship and tough living conditions along the Lancang River – that was how this community described their old river-side village before their resettlement.

YU RUAN Villager "The houses were old. We had no roads or electricity until 2005. When I got to the village, sometimes there was electricity, but only four hours a day."

"Do you live up on the hill?  It's up there, the house in orange."

They were resettled 16 years ago to make way for a huge project – the construction of the Jinghong Hydropower Station. It was a game changer for the villagers.

CEN ZIYUAN Jinghong, Yunnan Province "Manmi is a resettlement village relocated upstream of the Jinghong Hydropower station. Yu Ruan married a local villager the year the relocation process began. Before, it was not easy to go home and many of the young girls cried due to the inconvenience of the commute. Now, everything is different."

The old village has been submerged by water. At this new location, Yu Ruan says they live in better houses. The villagers can commute via road or waterway and have a source of income.

YU RUAN Villager "We collect the latex from the rubber trees from April until the end of November if the trees produce. However, the season wraps up a bit earlier this year. It no longer produces."

However, two challenges remain. One is the lack of business opportunities to earn a better living. The other is the state of the roads in and out of the village.

The retired head of the village went through the resettlement project. He says it's been a positive experience for the most part, but problems still remain. 

YAN PENG Former Head of Manmi Village "It's a tremendous change for our lives in the village, but there is one thing. Since we moved here in 2005, the condition of the road never improved. We have a dirt road to commute outside of the village."

Yan Peng was the village head for twenty years and said he did all he could to improve conditions in the village

He says a good road is crucial for its future to help children go to schools, and encourage more people to visit. Maybe they could look at developing agriculture tourism.

YAN PENG Former Head of Manmi Village "We did not believe we could have a better life until the hydropower station was built and we moved. That's the truth."

He says he misses his old home, but isn't sorry to have moved. He hopes a new road can lead to a better future for Manmi. Cen Ziyuan, CGTN, Jinghong, Yunnan Province.