Varied rural dreams? External elites' conception of rurality and their influence on the production of rural space in China's rural revitalization

The study focuses on how external elites produce new rural spaces through their conceived rurality and related practices within the context of China's rural revitalization efforts in declining rural areas. For this purpose, purposive sampling and in-depth interviews were conducted amongst external elites, town-level officials, and village participants at Dashuipo Town, a rural area where elites are introduced through government mediations, university platforms, and established elite networks. The study develops Halfacree's and Frisvoll's conceptualization of the production of rural space by incorporating elements specific to the Chinese context: guanxi, rural revitalization policies, and gentry culture. The study identifies six types of rurality conceived by external elites: experimental site, idyllic rural life, like-minded community, production site, sustainable development, and rural tourism. These ruralities are translated into new rural spaces through immaterial (guanxi, rural revitalization policies), material (land use rights, money), and personal practices (career, family, lifestyle pursuits), with gentry culture impacting immaterial and personal practices. While these practices have created improved infrastructure, cultural initiatives, and economic opportunities, the study reveals the lack of community capacity building and social-spatial segregation between external elites and local communities. The findings suggest that the activities of external elites in Dashuipo reflect a uniquely Chinese, state-embedded, production-oriented rural gentrification process, where governments, anchor institutions, and elites work closely together to achieve their respective goals. The study concludes by recommending the development of more effective collaboration mechanisms to engage local communities and build their capacity, thus contributing to more equitable and sustainable rural development. • Conceptualizes the production of rural space within the Chinese context. • Identifies various ruralities produced by external elites in rural revitalization. • Guanxi, gentry, and rural revitalization policies are unique drivers. • Elites in Dashuipo enable a state-embedded, production-oriented gentrification. • Further efforts should engage the local community and build their capacity.