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Migrants in Chinese Cities
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2005-2-22 13:33:48
CRIENGLISH.com
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China Radio International now bring you a special documentary on Migrants in Chinese Cities.
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 Part One: To Return Home or Stay On?
It's that time of year again¡ªwhen millions of Chinese return home to celebrate the Spring Festival.No matter what part of the country they are in, most people try to return to their hometowns for family celebrations during the traditional Lunar New Year holiday.
More people are on the move this year, especially migrant workers in cities. And not surprisingly, almost all train tickets are booked.
Lin Meng, a rickshaw driver in Beijing, is one of the millions of travelers. He's about to board a train to his home in East China's Anhui Province, a major source of migrant workers.
"I miss home. I have to return for Spring Festival; it's been a whole year since I've been back."
For those like Lin Meng, home is where the heart is.Beijing and many other large cities are just places where work is available¡ªnothing will stop them from a journey home.
"It's easier to make money during the festival. But I just want to go home after a tough year. I'll come back after the holiday to see if everything is good. If not, I'll go to other cities to find a job."
That's also the plan for hundreds of millions of migrant workers. The Spring Festival is a time to reflect on the past year, and think about what's next¡ªto stay or leave.
Without a doubt, many are faced with big decisions that can often be VERY different.
Dou Jinkai owns a barbers' shop in Beijing.With a strong northeastern accent, he says this is it.He has chosen to stay in the capital¡ªnot just over the holiday, but forever.
"I won't think of returning.I have survived so many hardships over the years.Since I have a pretty good business, there's no reason to go."
There are others that feel the same, and don't really care if they stay or go.
Like Tang Hua in Beijng, the sales manager of leading Internet portal Sohu.com.
"The best place to be is the one that benefits my own career development."
The idea doesn't come out of thin air. After graduating from college, Tang Hua worked as a bus driver, advertising executive, and did many other odd jobs in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai before moving to Beijing.
Part Two: The Initial Step
A massive human movement ¨C the city of Guangzhou alone bid farewell to half a million people in a single day.
It's hard to imagine such a population free-flow some 20 years ago, when China was in the early stages of developing its market economy.
In 1985, the central government started to grant rural residents permission to hold jobs in urban areas. The policy shift resulted in greater freedom of movement.Previously, the household registration system only allowed local residents to hold jobs in cities.
Public administration expert, Professor Xue Lan from Tsinghua University, says the decision was revolutionary and had a special significance for farmers.
"Rural reforms in the 1980's were very successful. But they brought about a large number of surplus laborers. At the same time, some coastal cities had started to develop a labor-intensive manufacturing industry. They needed a large work force. So population migration was imperative. Generally speaking, opening the doors for a floating population boosts the development of a labor market. It means a more rational allocation of productive resources, which is accomplished though market regulations."
Which also gave a huge boost to productivity. And the changes helped make China both a booming market and a leading export economy.
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Producer:Duan
Lei & Allen Chai 
