CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY

China has forsaken massive stimulus and started focusing on targeted infrastructure investments. "Under the guidelines of the new type of urbanization by the central government, rural areas will see more investments in transportation, internet facilities, and other amenities," researcher Li said.

The plan also matches the trend of the country's manufacturing sector, which is moving toward the less developed central and western parts of China. Both researchers said factories in the east saw a decline in the new migrant workers recruited from the central and western regions last year, the first time in the past 30 years.

Improved transportation in rural areas will play an essential role in the country's economic restructuring and balance among regions, Li Guoxiang said.