Rural Returnees and Their Role in Alleviating Rural Poverty in China

Authors

Ran Liu, Capital Normal University, Beijing, ChinaFollow
Yuhang Jia, Capital Normal University, Beijing, ChinaFollow
Yuting Cao, Capital Normal University, Beijing, ChinaFollow

Abstract

This research focuses on the return flow of rural migrants from urban areas and their role in poverty alleviation in China. Rural returnees have accelerated rural urbanisation during the National New-type Urbanisation Plan (NUP) period since 2014 and have contributed to China’s Rural Revitalisation and Rural Poverty Alleviation strategy. This study employs data from the 2016 Migrant Dynamics Monitoring Survey on rural migration in China to analyse the main traits of the return migrants to rural areas, including a comparative analysis with urban origins and permanent urban settlements. The focus is centred on the post-1980s young migrant workers who are able to gain access to more entrepreneurial opportunities such as online sales. A fieldtrip was conducted in rural Pinggu of metropolitan Beijing to examine the positive role of the rural return migration in alleviating rural poverty in the typical “Pinggu big peach” production base. This study will discuss the performance of young returnees and the implications of their role on poverty alleviation in rural areas.

Recommended Citation

Liu, Ran; Jia, Yuhang; and Cao, Yuting (2022) "Rural Returnees and Their Role in Alleviating Rural Poverty in China," Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://mjcs.newera.edu.my/journal/vol11/iss1/3