China is accelerating its journey towards rural prosperity with a significant expansion of its rural road network, as detailed in the recently released white paper, \"China's Rural Roads in the New Era.\" By the end of 2023, the total length of rural roads reached an impressive 4.6 million kilometers, marking a 21.7% increase since 2013. This extensive network is enough to circle the equator 115 times.
The white paper outlines the creation of a comprehensive rural transport infrastructure, where county roads connect rural and urban areas, township roads crisscross the countryside, and village roads facilitate seamless travel between households and farmland. This infrastructure is pivotal in driving economic and social development in previously underserved areas.
Since 2014, China has built or upgraded over 1.4 million kilometers of rural roads in impoverished regions. By 2019, all towns, townships, and administrative villages that could be connected were linked to paved roads, and by 2020, bus services were available to all such villages. These advancements have eliminated long-standing bottlenecks, laying a robust foundation for achieving moderate prosperity in rural communities.
The development of rural transport infrastructure has also attracted significant capital, projects, and talent to the countryside, creating more job opportunities and increasing income levels. Rural road construction projects currently provide employment for approximately 80,000 individuals, offering an annual average per capita income increase of around 8,500 yuan (about $1,182.57). Additionally, rural road management and maintenance generate about 850,000 jobs, with an annual average per capita income of approximately 13,000 yuan.
In its pursuit of comprehensive rural revitalization, the Chinese government continues to integrate rural roads into the broader economic development framework. This integration supports the modernization of rural industries, boosts rural tourism, and ensures the efficient use of unique rural resources. The expansion of rural roads also contributes to creating a beautiful and harmonious countryside by extending basic public services and promoting urban-rural integration.
Reference(s):
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