Migration in China: Methodological and Policy Challenges

Abstract

China’s current migration policy was developed in response to concerns about too rapid urbanization, especially in view of the vast rural reservoir of potential urbanward migrants (S. Goldstein 1985, 2–5). In 1982, 20 percent of China’s population lived in urban places, a level of urbanization below that of most less developed countries. Nonetheless, Chinese policy makers maintain that the number of big cities and the size of their population need correction even while the needs of the massive 800 million rural population must be met. In order to develop agriculture and industry simultaneously a basic urban policy has been promulgated: (a) Strictly limit the size of big cities (locations with 500,000 population or more); (b) properly develop medium-sized cities (with 200,000–499,999 population); and (c) encourage the growth of small cities (with populations of under 200,000) and county towns. The development of small market centers and townships, which are not classified as urban places, is also being encouraged, with the eventual goal being that these places will form the nucleus of towns and small cities.