Overview of rural credit environment in China: Measurement logic, evaluation system, and case analysis

A rational evaluation of the rural credit environment's current state and identification of its critical issues are crucial for enhancing the construction of rural social credit systems. Drawing on the “Outline for the Construction of the Social Credit System (2014–2020)” and related literature, this paper clarifies the concepts and measurement principles of the rural credit environment. This study innovatively constructs an evaluation framework for the rural credit environment and conducts quantitative measurements and statistical analyses using a combined weighting method to delineate the environment's current state. Using Banqiao Town as a case study, this paper employs the cloud model to evaluate the rural credit environment's quality levels and to identify key factors influencing its quality effectively. From a macro perspective, statistical measurements and index analyses establish evaluation standards and quantify the state of the rural credit environment. In contrast, from a micro perspective, case analysis focuses on evaluating the quality levels and identifying crucial issues in specific locales. Integrating macro and micro perspectives offers a novel approach to evaluating the rural credit environment, offering theoretical approaches and practical strategies for promoting a favorable credit environment and advancing the construction of rural social credit systems in China.