Stable villages key to harmonious society

The hollowing out of villages because of the country's industrialization and urbanization drive has given rise to many social problems. The disorderly state of villages as young adults migrate to urban areas leaving only the elders and idle farmland behind indicates the demise of traditional villages.

Farmers-turned-urbanites look for better life in cities and no longer carry the values that are based on small-scale farm economy. Instead, they become increasingly self-centered like most city dwellers as they adapt to the urban environment.

Although the hollowing out of villages is an offshoot of China's economic development, the government should not ignore the challenges the phenomenon poses to grassroots governance.