Temporal and Spatial Evolution Characteristics and Obstacle Factor Analysis of Rural Modernization Development Level in China

Mingting Shi (), Shenao Ma and Sheng Zhong
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Mingting Shi: School of Management, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yingmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China
Shenao Ma: School of Management, Gansu Agricultural University, 1 Yingmen Village, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China
Sheng Zhong: School of Economics and Management, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, 88 Anning West Road, Anning District, Lanzhou 730070, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: Rural modernization constitutes a crucial aspect in the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This paper assesses the level of rural modernization in China and investigates its spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and restrictive factors through a spatial autocorrelation analysis and the obstacle degree model. The research indicates that: (1) The overall rural modernization has escalated, with infrastructure and public services advancing at the fastest pace, while the modernization of the ecological environment and governance system lags relatively behind. The majority of provinces exhibit distinct internal imbalances and classified development traits, mainly categorized as the ecological priority type and economic priority type. (2) The eastern coastal areas and the southwest region have witnessed rapid development due to their well-established infrastructure and agglomeration of innovative elements; the northwest and northeast regions have developed slowly, influenced by geographical conditions and industrial structure. Regions exhibit the characteristics of both high and low agglomeration in multiple dimensions. (3) The modernization of governance systems and the ecological environment serve as the primary constraints, manifested as a low percentage of administrative villages, insufficient planning, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and a low greening rate. Hence, it is necessary to address the shortcomings, optimize the spatial layout, and strengthen grassroots governance capacities to promote the coordinated advancement of rural modernization.

Keywords: rural modernization; evaluation and measurement; temporal and spatial evolution; barrier factors; spatial econometric models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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