Pour ceux qui restent dans les zones rurales, il est essentiel d'ameliorer les systemes de protection sociale et de developper l'investissement dans les services de sante. While this is transforming China’s urban economy, the rural economy is also undergoing substantial structural change. At a time when the government maintains a strong commitment to the goals of food security, reducing urban-rural inequality and protecting natural resources, the development path unfolding in rural areas is of critical importance. Less productive resources move out of the sector and farmland is consolidated into larger plots that allow for greater mechanisation and more productive farmers to scale up production, gradually moving from labour-intensive to more capital-intensive agricultural production.