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“Beautiful Countryside”: Green Development and the Making of Rural Urbanization in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2025

Duojie Zhaxi Open the ORCID record for Duojie Zhaxi [Opens in a new window]
Duojie Zhaxi*
Affiliation:
School of Ethnology and Sociology, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining, Qinghai, China
*
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper examines the “beautiful countryside,” a newly initiated state rural development programme emphasizing “greening” and beautification elements, in western China. It explores how local bureaucrats, village leaders and planners implement the programme, which stresses the importance of greening and green development, on the ground. It also analyses how local officials and villagers understand the programme. By highlighting the significance of the greening and aesthetic elements of the project, as well as local government officials’ interpretation and understanding of programme implementation, this paper argues that constructing the “beautiful countryside” is a form of aesthetic governmentality. While this initiative constructs tidy and beautiful spaces, it also shapes subjectivities towards building a city-like modern space to promote rural urbanization in the countryside.

摘要

摘要

本文聚焦于 “美丽乡村” 建设中 “绿化” 与美化的相关元素, 重点探讨这些元素在中国西部地区的具体落地实践。研究深入考察了基层干部及其他相关主体在具体情景中如何依据国家相关政策要求, 将 “美丽乡村” 落实在地。尤其关注在项目实施过程中对“绿化”与 “绿色发展” 理念的贯彻与实践。同时, 本文对基层干部和村民对于“美丽乡村”的认知与理解展开了细致分析。通过深入剖析在 “美丽乡村” 建设过程中绿化和美学元素的政策意义,以及地方政府在执行过程中对这一目标的解读与把握,研究指出, “美丽乡村” 的构建不仅是对乡村环境的整治与美化, 更是一种基于美学理念的乡村治理形式。这一策略在营造整洁、美丽乡村空间的同时, 也致力于型塑乡村居民适应现代城市生活的主体性, 以促进乡村社会的城镇化进程。

Keywords

aesthetic-governmentality“beautiful countryside”greeningrural urbanization美学治理术“美丽乡村”绿化乡村城镇化
Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , First View , pp. 1 - 19
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of SOAS University of London

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