Home>News Center>China
       
 

Urbanization reducing China's rural population
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-23 09:51

Urbanization has been reducing the number of Chinese farmers and the trend is set to continue as China moves to build a "new socialist countryside," a senior economic official said on Wednesday.

Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Office of the Central Financial Work Leading Group, said that although permanent residence registrations show that China's rural population stands at 940 million, the total of actual rural dwellers is just 750 million as about 200 million people have migrated to work in cities and towns.

"The trend will continue in the future," said Chen.

The development of a "new socialist countryside" is a sweeping campaign largely aimed at improving the living conditions of farmers, who were left behind amid the initial opening-up and reform drive.

Chen also pointed out that not all farmers desire to live in big cities due to limited urban infrastructure and lack of job opportunities. The Chinese government encourages farmers to work in adjacent towns and small cities and other non-agricultural sectors.

Chen acknowledged China's rural population would remain large even when urbanization accelerates.

Rural dwellers will still be 600 million even if only 40 percent of the Chinese people live in the countryside in 2030, when the total population is expected to rise to 1.5 billion.

"To increase the living standard of these farmers, China should spare no efforts to build the new socialist countryside," Chen said.



Britain deputy PM visits 'Bird's Nest' in Beijing
22 hospitalized for food poisoning in Jiangsu
Persistent drought hits Guangdong
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

Chen Shui-bian warned not to go down path of secession

 

   
 

Eight co-workers share US$365m jackpot

 

   
 

Strict curbs pledged on land acquisition

 

   
 

Fossil find 'may rewrite history'

 

   
 

Human trials begin for anti-HIV drug

 

   
 

Safety code to manage dangerous chemicals

 

   
  Hu calls for change in economic growth mode
   
  Safe sex next front in China's AIDS battle
   
  Iran nuclear crisis can be resolved: China
   
  Public to help assess impact on environment
   
  Wine maker blamed for panic over water supply
   
  17m travel by air during Spring Festival
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement