Technology will transform China's rural areas

Subject

Rural digitalisation in China.

Significance

There has been a major shift in the focus of China’s economic development policy from urbanisation to the countryside, where more than 40% of the population still live. Policymakers highlight digitalisation and e-commerce as key tools of rural modernisation.

Impacts

• National and local policy initiatives will lead the expansion of rural digitalisation, but market forces will incentivise farmers.
• Urbanites will benefit from the rising incomes of their rural counterparts, as a more prosperous countryside creates market opportunities.
• Agricultural automation and online health services could transform rural life, but are still in the early stages.