MNI: China Promotes Urban-Rural Migration to Boost Consumption

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's top planner announced measures to accelerate the

urban-rural population migration and help boost domestic demand amid a slowing

economy.

     The National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC) launched an extensive

inspection on the reform of the Hukou system, or household registry, on

Wednesday, aiming to give formal residencies to 100 million rural population

dwelling in urban areas now, Xinhua News Agency reported.

     The inspection focuses on whether authorities have boosted financial

supports, infrastructure investment and urban construction land supply to settle

the rural migrants. It will also review municipal governments on whether they

have provided a fair treatment of basic public service for farmers moving in the

cities.

     Promoting the urban settlement of 100 million non-registered people is the

"organic bonding point" of boosting domestic demand and improving welfare, the

NDRC said.

     The plan was first unveiled by the State Council  in 2016. It sought to

encourage those with the ability to work and live in the cities to become urban

residents by giving them associated benefits.

     Hukou is China's system of household registration that records people's

basic information and permanent residency. A citizen's Hukou determines access

to housing, education, and medical treatment, among other social provisions.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

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