Summary
(1) The Chinese government has issued the "Regulations on Rural Roads" (No. 813, 2025), which was approved by the State Council on June 27, 2025, and will take effect on September 15, 2025. The regulations aim to promote the high-quality development of rural roads, supporting the progress of rural revitalization and agricultural modernization.
(2) According to the regulations, rural roads include county roads, township roads, and village roads. These roads are considered public infrastructure that serve agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, and the government will adopt comprehensive measures to support and promote their development.
(3) The regulations emphasize that rural road development should be guided by the principles of the Party and the country's line and policies, and should adapt to the requirements of coordinating new urbanization and rural revitalization. They also stress the importance of government-led development, comprehensive planning, and site-specific approaches, as well as the equal emphasis on construction, management, maintenance, and operation.
(4) County-level governments are responsible for rural road development in their respective areas, and should strengthen their organization and leadership, implement support measures, and coordinate the resolution of major issues. They should also work with transportation and other relevant departments to ensure the implementation of the regulations.
(5) The regulations establish a funding mechanism for rural road development, which relies primarily on fiscal input and supplementary funding from multiple channels. Local governments should arrange for the funds needed for rural road development, which should be included in their budgets. The government encourages charitable donations, social fundraising, and the development and operation of rural road-related resources and assets to support rural road development.
(6) The regulations also emphasize the importance of upgrading the quality of rural road networks, optimizing their structure, and improving their density. New rural roads should meet the prescribed technical standards, and existing roads that do not meet the minimum technical requirements should be upgraded or renovated.
(7) Rural road construction should be coordinated with national and provincial road construction, promoting the integration of urban and rural transportation. Local governments should take measures to promote the integration of rural roads with surrounding infrastructure, industrial parks, and tourist attractions, and to coordinate agricultural production and rural tourism.
(8) The regulations require county-level governments to establish and improve the management and maintenance system for rural roads, clarifying and supporting the responsibilities of transportation and other relevant departments and township governments. Local governments should also strengthen their management and maintenance of rural road assets and use the income from rural tourism and other businesses to support rural road maintenance.
(9) County-level governments should regularly conduct technical inspections and evaluations of rural roads, using the results as a basis for maintenance. Rural road maintenance should be divided into daily maintenance and maintenance projects, with county-level governments responsible for county roads and township governments responsible for township roads.
(10) The regulations also emphasize the importance of community participation in rural road maintenance, allowing local residents to participate in cleaning, landscaping, and other tasks through government procurement of services or other means. They encourage professional road maintenance companies to participate in rural road maintenance, promoting the establishment of a long-term mechanism for rural road maintenance and improving the professional level of maintenance.
(11) The regulations require county-level governments to establish and improve the safety hazard detection and control mechanism for rural roads, focusing on roads with steep curves, water or mountainous sections, intersections, bridges, tunnels, and roads through villages and towns. They should also set up warning signs and traffic control facilities as needed.
(12) County-level governments should strengthen emergency preparedness and disaster prevention and relief capabilities for rural roads, organizing the implementation of emergency response plans, emergency supplies, and disaster monitoring and warning systems. If a rural road is damaged by natural disasters or other emergencies, the government should quickly repair or replace it.
(13) The regulations require local governments to improve their policies and measures, strengthen the incentive mechanism, and accelerate the development of rural logistics and transportation infrastructure, ensuring the sustainable operation of rural transportation, promoting the integration of rural transportation, logistics, and postal services, and expanding the functions of rural roads to facilitate urban-rural economic circulation.
(14) The State Council's relevant departments, county-level governments, and their relevant departments, as well as township governments, are responsible for implementing the regulations and fulfilling their duties. Those who fail to perform or improperly perform their duties will be held accountable in accordance with the law.
(15) Village roads are subject to the "Regulations on Rural Roads" and also refer to the "Road Safety Protection Regulations" and the "Highway Law" for specific provisions.
(16) The "Regulations on Rural Roads" will take effect on September 15, 2025.