context: The 2023 Central Rural Work Conference looked back on the rural revitalisation campaign that channelled massive resources to the countryside yet also led to massive wasted investment due to poorly designed development models and the continued trend of migrants moving out of villages.
The Central Rural Work Conference proposed adapting to rural population changes to improve village layouts and the allocation of resources in the industrial structure and public service. It emphasised actions to improve the rural living environment and promote the development of rural infrastructure, coordinating new urbanisation and comprehensive rural revitalisation, enhancing the carrying capacity and governance capabilities of county towns and promoting integrated urban-rural development at the county level.
Rural populations have been moving to different levels of urban regions, such as county towns, provincial capitals and major cities, leading to ageing and hollowing out of villages, according to Yu Xin'an 喻新安 Henan Academy of Social Sciences former dean. For example, in the past, every village had an elementary school. Now the number of school-age children in rural areas has sharply declined. Many schools are struggling to continue.
Comprehensive rural revitalisation does not mean that all villages need investment, argues Yu. Rather, resources should focus on places where people, demand and growth potentials gather. Taking Henan as an example, the current 14th 5-year plan for Henan only extends to the town level, without detailed planning at the village level. This is to reduce unnecessary investment because many villages will naturally disappear in the future, while a few villages with good conditions will concentrate efforts on key development.