One year since China's rural vitalization strategy was implemented, rural areas have shown progress in many aspects, according to a survey by Outlook Weekly and the National Bureau of Statistics in 100 villages in east China's Jiangxi Province.
The income of both rural residents and cooperatives has improved, with the means of income more diversified. In addition to income from farming, those from entrepreneurship and assets have also steadily increased. A rising number of villages are making a profit by renting out collectively owned land and other assets.
Rural infrastructure has become more developed. 4G networks, logistics services and entertainment facilities have expanded in rural areas. Today, the increasingly complete infrastructure represented by the Internet in rural areas has become an important factor for younger-generation migrant workers to return.
Industrial development has also been boosted in rural areas. An increasing number of market entities have brought complete industrial chains to rural areas, which reduced the risks for agricultural businesses and improved the brand value of agricultural products, in addition to creating more jobs for residents.
Rural-born entrepreneurs are on the rise and have become a reliable force for rural transformation. Returned migrant workers are showing strong motivation to start their own businesses.
(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Outlook Weekly on June 3)
