You just described suburban China. No really. Groups of 5-7 apartment buildings in a field. Its actually kind of weird the first time you see it.
China does suburbs vertically.
China does suburbs vertically.
Sure malls and other small time commerce will develop. Malls also exist to serve traditional American style suburbs. But these places will never be urban centers in their own right.
From what I've seen there's a ton of this type of development in China. Admittedly what I've seen of China's country side is mostly out a train window so obviously I'm only seeing places meant to be serviced by trains.