Call to end Hokou

[Stepbrow]

More than a dozen newspapers in chinese cities have called for the end to the hokou system. Many reasons have been cited for the elimination of the hokou system including the fact that it has contributed to social inequality.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9522102.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8544650.stm

[david_dawei]

More than a dozen newspapers in chinese cities have called for the end to the hokou system. Many reasons have been cited for the elimination of the hokou system including the fact that it has contributed to social inequality.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9522102.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8544650.stm

There are a number of interesting points made but how realistic is the small movement...

 

for the sake of not turning CFL into the nightly news... Start the post with some opinion or comment you would like to discuss.

[GDBILL]

More than a dozen newspapers in chinese cities have called for the end to the hokou system. Many reasons have been cited for the elimination of the hokou system including the fact that it has contributed to social inequality.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03...ent_9522102.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8544650.stm

There are a number of interesting points made but how realistic is the small movement...

 

for the sake of not turning CFL into the nightly news... Start the post with some opinion or comment you would like to discuss.

 

In theory there should be no hukou. But the sad reality is that it has served the country of 1.3+ billion well and is still a necessity.

 

Besides, even if they did eliminate hukou there are stiull a great many employers who simply will not hire someone unless they are from the immediate geographical area. Try getting a decent job in Beijing without having Beijing hukou.

[Stepbrow]

Well, it looks like there will not be any Hokou reform after all. Seems that the CCP was against it. At least they didn't imprison any of the publishers or editors. They just fired a few, and warned the others.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/31042/

 

As the article points out, the CCP floated the idea in an interview of Wen Jiabao in December of 2009. Apparently the newspapers misjudged the Wen's intent in going ahead with the articles.

 

My own feeling is that China, by restricting the movement of it's people, the current hokou law hurts the country and the people. If people are allowed to move and seek jobs freely, then those who see opportunity can move and act on their vision. If they are restricted, then they cannot pursue the opportunity, and the country does not benefit from their pursuit of a better future.

[GDBILL]

Well, it looks like there will not be any Hokou reform after all. Seems that the CCP was against it. At least they didn't imprison any of the publishers or editors. They just fired a few, and warned the others.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/31042/

 

As the article points out, the CCP floated the idea in an interview of Wen Jiabao in December of 2009. Apparently the newspapers misjudged the Wen's intent in going ahead with the articles.

 

My own feeling is that China, by restricting the movement of it's people, the current hokou law hurts the country and the people. If people are allowed to move and seek jobs freely, then those who see opportunity can move and act on their vision. If they are restricted, then they cannot pursue the opportunity, and the country does not benefit from their pursuit of a better future.

Or there would be even more country folks migrating to the cities, creating a bigger problem of too many people with no work.

 

That'd be just the tip of the iceberg. There would be problems with the government retirement fund, medical care, education and also security ... as well as other possible issues.

Edited March 16, 2010 by GDBILL (see edit history)

[GDBILL]

Well, it looks like there will not be any Hokou reform after all. Seems that the CCP was against it. At least they didn't imprison any of the publishers or editors. They just fired a few, and warned the others.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/31042/

 

As the article points out, the CCP floated the idea in an interview of Wen Jiabao in December of 2009. Apparently the newspapers misjudged the Wen's intent in going ahead with the articles.

 

My own feeling is that China, by restricting the movement of it's people, the current hokou law hurts the country and the people. If people are allowed to move and seek jobs freely, then those who see opportunity can move and act on their vision. If they are restricted, then they cannot pursue the opportunity, and the country does not benefit from their pursuit of a better future.

 

 

Idealistic ... but in a perfect world it would work. However, in China if you did not restrict the human tide the country would be totally FUBAR.

 

First of all, hukou does not physically restrict freedom of movement. Your normal rural resident is free to go anywhere they want and try to find a job or pursue whatever opportunities they want. Hukou does reduce the incentive for movement, though. Those few with skills that add value will be able to survive and possibly better themselves as millions before them have done. Those that haven't any marketable skills will not and it is those that hukou encourages not to migrate.

 

Hukou restricts who can have access to government social services such as government housing and social insurance, primary and secondary education and subsidized health care. It also means that there will be no increased costs for public safety and transportation services to support a huge influx of people.

 

Social inequality. The buzz word of the feeble-minded.

Progress is never fast enough for those on the bottom and China is no exception. Encouraging mass migration to urban centers is going to make everybody socially equal -- equally screwed. As it is there isn't enough money to pay for compulsory education in the cities -- often 50 kids per classroom. Add a few million more kids to the mix is going to be great, right? Ever been to a Chinese hospital to see a doctor? Ever been on the subway? A bus?

[GDBILL]

Well, it looks like there will not be any Hokou reform after all. Seems that the CCP was against it. At least they didn't imprison any of the publishers or editors. They just fired a few, and warned the others.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/31042/

 

As the article points out, the CCP floated the idea in an interview of Wen Jiabao in December of 2009. Apparently the newspapers misjudged the Wen's intent in going ahead with the articles.

 

My own feeling is that China, by restricting the movement of it's people, the current hokou law hurts the country and the people. If people are allowed to move and seek jobs freely, then those who see opportunity can move and act on their vision. If they are restricted, then they cannot pursue the opportunity, and the country does not benefit from their pursuit of a better future.

Or there would be even more country folks migrating to the cities, creating a bigger problem of too many people with no work.

 

That'd be just the tip of the iceberg. There would be problems with the government retirement fund, medical care, education and also security ... as well as other possible issues.

I'm all for free movement and such like we are used to here in the US. I can see that may not be suitable for China at this time.

 

 

Yup. I can see them maybe eliminating the hukou system or at least not using it to discourage migration at some future point, but I think that future point is a long ways off.

 

Funny thing ... Japan still has a hukou system to this day. It isn't used -- AFAIK -- to control migration rather to establish lineage of descent / citizenship. One purpose of Chinese hukou is to do pretty much the same.