Papers call for hukou reform
- Source: Globaltimes
- [03:30 March 02 2010]
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By Deng Jingyin
More than a dozen Chinese newspapers printed the same editorial Monday in which they urged the central government to reform the household registration system to combat problems associated with urbanization.
Thirteen newspapers in 11 provinces, including the Economic Observer, Southern Metropolis Daily, and Dahe Daily, printed the editorial two days before the annual sessions of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People's Congress (NPC) kick off. The CPPCC and NPC are scheduled to open tomorrow and Friday respectively.
The editorial suggested that China implement a schedule for the reform, and suggested transitional measures until the current household registration system, known as hukou, is com-pletely abolished.
"Abolishing this policy would enable the coming generations to enjoy the rights of freedom, democracy and equality endowed by the Constitution," it said.
During an online chat with Web users Saturday, Premier Wen Jiabao said China would advance reform of its household registration system for the new generation migrant workers.
The household registration system, implemented in 1958, divides people into rural and non-rural households. Citizens with rural hukou cannot enjoy the same social benefits as urban residents, even though they live and work in cities.
Migrant workers also have to pay extra fees for their children's education. They are also not eligible for social welfare in cities.
Some critics have earlier said the hukou system does not favor the country's urbanization development, and reforming the system is necessary as more migrants are seeking a better wage and life in cities.
The current hukou system was set up based on social and economic situations in the 1950s, when huge gaps existed between urban and rural areas. There was a reality the country faced a scarcity of material prosperity. And urban hukou holders, especially those in big cities, were entitled to more benefits.
The system was crucial and contributed a lot to preserving social stability. But as the nation has witnessed great development and more migrants move to cities, some problems with the system have emerged.
Some local governments have introduced measures to adjust the situation. For example, Shanghai granted qualified migrants a blue book, a document equivalent to hukou. And other governments adopted flexible regulations on household registration. But debate continues before fundamental reform was introduced.
Shan Shibin, a commentator from Chongqing Times, one of the 13 newspapers, told the Global Times that changing the system is not easy since some groups are reluctant to share the benefits with others.
