Development of Rural Regions in China: Evidence of Industry Integration by the Residents of Yongan Village (Quanzhou City, China)

Abstract

This study aims to probe the sustainable development issues in Chinese rural regions. It analyzes the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries by considering the experiences of Yongan village in Quanzhou, China, as a case study. Integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary industries is essential to promoting rural areas’ transformation, upgrading, and development. Yongan village in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, has attempted to integrate primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. Yongan village has creatively practiced the development model of “1 + 3 + 2” (from the primary industry to the tertiary industry and then to the secondary industry). Based on the exploration of Yongan village’s experience, it is proposed to design a program for integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. The study of Yongan village example will enrich the related theories and provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for related practices in rural areas in China and other developing countries. This study’s novelty is that it offers a unique rural development model based on “1 + 3 + 2”. The tertiary industry’s development precedes the secondary industry, paving the way for agro-tourism that leads to the sustainable development of the rural regions with sustained economic activity accelerated by rising tourist inflow.