Yet, when it comes to rural traditions and culture, the changes seem to be revolutionary. They cannot afford to follow the ways of their fathers or grandfathers, neither can they afford to spare the time and effort for the public affairs that may ultimately have an effect on their lives.

Some may lament the passing of the good old days, but we cannot judge the lives of villagers from the perspective of our own. If we were in their shoes, what would we do? We would undoubtedly choose the way that suits us - migrating to cities to make money.

However, it is also wrong for us to take it for granted that rural villages should be left the way they are. Those who are seeking their fortune in urban areas will one day become too old to work as migrant workers. Many will then return to their rural homes. Who will take care of them? Will they regret that they have failed to create a better home for their old age?

What is even more threatening is the scenario that the second or third generation of rural migrant workers who were either born in cities or brought to cities by their parents will mostly stay in cities rather than return to their home villages. Who will take care of the fields when the elderly and women left behind are unable to work any more?

The campaign was launched late last decade to construct a new countryside should not just build new houses for villagers, but also help inject vitality into the declining rural villages.

The problem is: How?

It is not just unrealistic. It's also impossible to stop young villagers from seeking fortunes in urban areas unless agricultural policy makes it more profitable for them to farm their fields than to work on construction sites or in factories.

Policies are badly needed to specifically address village problems and thus improve the overall situation in rural areas.

The author is a senior writer of China Daily. He can be reached at zhuyuan@chinadaily.com.cn.