亚开行-中国农村发展政策的多维演变（英）-2021.12-78页_1mb

Summary of "Multidimensional Evolution of Rural Development Policy in the People's Republic of China"

Core Content

This working paper analyzes the multidimensional evolution of rural development policy in the People's Republic of China (PRC), focusing on demographic changes, socioeconomic trends, environmental performance, and the implications of these developments for future policy and international cooperation. The study is part of a broader effort to support ADB's developing member countries in formulating integrated and balanced rural development strategies.

Main Points

1. Eradication of Absolute Poverty and Rural Development Goals

• In February 2021, the PRC officially announced the eradication of absolute poverty by the end of 2020, marking a significant milestone in its development history.
• The PRC has historically prioritized rural development as a key component of its strategy to achieve a moderately prosperous society (xiao kang), focusing on reducing the income gap between urban and rural areas.
• Rural development policy has evolved from a focus on food production to a more integrated approach that considers economic, social, and environmental welfare.

2. Demographic Changes in Rural Areas

• The PRC's rural population is shrinking and aging, with a projected plateau around 2030 and gradual decline in the 21st century.
• By 2018, the proportion of the rural population in the total population had dropped to 39.4%, down from 50.3% in 2010.
• The rural population is increasingly concentrated in certain provinces, such as Henan, Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, Hebei, Hunan, Anhui, and Yunnan.
• Rural areas face a labor shortage due to urbanization and migration, with over one-third of the rural labor force aged 55 or older in 2016.

3. Urban-Rural Migration and Hukou System

• Rapid urbanization and migration have significantly reduced the rural population.
• The hukou (household registration) system has historically restricted the mobility of rural residents, especially migrant workers.
• Reforms since the 2002 Communist Party Congress have eased some restrictions, but the system still poses challenges for migrant workers in accessing urban social benefits.
• The concept of "residence-registration separation" highlights the mismatch between where people live and where they are registered, affecting their access to services and benefits.

4. Socioeconomic Trends in Rural Areas

• Rural income has grown substantially, with per capita disposable income increasing nearly 110 times from 1978 to 2018.
• Nonagricultural income, particularly wage income, has become a major driver of rural income growth since the early 2000s.
• Income inequality persists, with significant disparities between different rural income groups and regions.
• The lowest income quintile in 2005 had an average annual disposable income of CNY1,067, which was close to the official poverty line. By 2018, the average income for the low-income group had risen to CNY3,666, but the income gap between low- and high-income groups widened.
• Regional disparities in rural income remain, with the Eastern Region having the highest per capita income, followed by the Northeast, Central, and Western regions.

5. Environmental Performance and Challenges

• Intensive agricultural practices, such as chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, plastic film, and crop residue burning, have led to ecological and environmental degradation.
• Environmental indicators show increasing water stress, eutrophication in key lakes and reservoirs, and rising levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) discharges.
• The PRC has introduced environmental policies to protect agricultural land, regulate chemical use, and improve water resource management.
• Economic mechanisms, such as subsidies and sustainable cost recovery models, are being used to finance rural environmental projects.

6. Policy Implications and Future Directions

• The multidimensional evolution of rural development policy offers valuable lessons for other developing countries, particularly in integrating economic, social, and environmental goals.
• Off-farm income opportunities, such as ecotourism, can help diversify rural income sources and reduce environmental vulnerability.
• Continued reform of the hukou system and promotion of free labor mobility are essential for reducing urban-rural income disparities and improving rural welfare.
• Institutional innovations, such as farm mechanization and cooperative organizations, have enhanced rural productivity and enabled farmers to engage in nonagricultural activities.

Key Information

• Income Growth: Per capita rural disposable income increased from CNY1,067 in 2005 to CNY14,617 in 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9% between 1990 and 2019.
• Income Inequality: The income gap between urban and rural residents remains significant, with the urban-rural income ratio stabilizing at around 2.7 since 2015.
• Migration Trends: Cross-regional migration has slowed, while within-region migration has become more important, increasing rural household flexibility.
• Hukou System: Despite reforms, the hukou system continues to limit the access of migrant workers to urban social services and benefits.
• Environmental Challenges: Intensive farming practices have led to pollution and ecological degradation, necessitating stronger environmental policies and infrastructure investments.
• Policy Evolution: The 2018 Rural Vitalization Strategy represents a broader, more integrated approach to rural development, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity.

Conclusion

The PRC has made remarkable progress in rural development, particularly in reducing poverty and improving economic conditions. However, challenges such as persistent income disparities, an aging rural population, and environmental degradation remain. The multidimensional evolution of rural policy offers a model for other developing countries, emphasizing the need for integrated, sustainable, and inclusive development strategies.