ABSTRACT
After entering into the new century, China’s rural transformation and development faced new challenges and problems, mainly refl ected in the following: fi rst, a long-term urbanization trend has widened urban-rural disparities and rendered the independent development capacity of rural areas weak (Wu Chuanjun, 2001; Zhang Xiaolin, 1999; Li Yurui et al., 2011; Liu Yansui and Yang Ren, 2012); second, rapid urbanization has transferred rural land to non-agricultural use and the rural population out of agriculture, hollowing out rural villages and increasing the number of landless farmers. The outstanding problem of hollowed-out villages is a major obstacle to rural transformation and rejuvenation (Wu Chuanjun and Guo Huancheng, 1994; Jin Qiming, 1988; Wang Chengxin et al., 2005; Chen Yufu et al., 2010; Liu Yansui et al., 2011a; Liu Yansui and Li Yurui, 2010; Liu Yansui et al., 2010a; Fan Jie and Tian Ming, 2003; Liu Yansui et al., 2008, 2010c; Long Hualou et al., 2009a); third, the people-land relationship in rural areas has changed dramatically. As young and strong workers fl ood out with no signifi cant change in the rural industrial structure and employment model, the problems of a shortage of farm labour are prominent (Zhou Lisan, 2000; Liu Yansui et al., 2010b; Long Hualou and Li Tingting, 2012; Liu Yansui et al., 2011a; Cheng Yeqing, 2010); fourth, the urban-rural dual economic structure driven systems and mechanisms for rural development lack innovation and do not permit balanced urban-rural development and the building of a new socialist
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countryside at a strategic level. Coordinated development and innovation in the rural land system, household registration system and social security system should be developed concurrently (Zhen Feng et al., 2008; Li Xiaojian et al., 2009, 2012; Li Hongbo et al., 2012; Liu Yansui et al. 2010b, 2010c, 2009a). These real and complicated issues provide opportunities for study and research in rural geography (Liu Yansui et al., 2011b; Zhang Xiaolin and Sheng Ming, 2002).
