（Photo/Chinanews.com）

8.5 million people across China have returned from cities to their hometowns in the countryside to start businesses, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.

The statistics show that 31 million people have started businesses in their hometowns. Meanwhile, the increasing amount of private capital invested in the countryside has become a vital force in promoting rural revitalization.

More than 150,000 entities with a total investment of more than 2 trillion yuan (about 284 billion US dollars) from private capital are rooted in the countryside.

Driven by private capital, the integration of rural industries has accelerated. In addition, some private equity is also invested in cold-chain logistics facilities and public welfare services, which not only improves the rural living environment, promoting the upgrading of rural infrastructure and public services, but also promotes the development of rural finance, and deepens reform in rural areas.