A view of Dachen Island, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

The pioneering spirit developed by Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province in reclaiming its Dachen Island was recently included in a textbook for primary students in China.

This is the first time the spirit, which has entrepreneurship, diligence, selfless dedication, and innovation at its core, is included in a national textbook.

Located 52 kilometers from the urban area of Taizhou, Dachen Island comprises 29 small islets and occupies 14.6 square kilometers.

The island, dubbed the "Pearl in the East China Sea", was liberated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1955, when it was nothing but a barren land torn apart by years of war.

In an effort to restore and develop the island, more than 400 volunteers were sent there to reclaim and revive it from 1956 to 1960. A monument was later erected on the island to mark their pioneering spirit.