The residence registration system cannot be designed only to make it convenient for administrators, says an editorial in Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:

The temporary residence permit system and its varieties have been debated for quite a long time. After the Law of Administrative Permission was introduced in 2003, the temporary residence permit system was regarded illegal and cancelled in many cities. But it was maintained in some cities for the sake of public order.

Last December, Shanghai adopted a migrant population-oriented residence card system. Shenzhen is to launch a trial residence card system in Yantian District next month.

No person or organization has the right to restrict Chinese citizens' rights of freedom to reside in the territory of China. But with an administrative power that wants to make it convenient for management, citizens' rights are often infringed upon.

We can understand an urban management department's need for a temporary residence permit system. There has emerged a huge migrant population over the years, which has greatly challenged the traditional mode of social management based on work units and grassroots governments. Government departments, especially the public security department, were facing difficult social management tasks, hence the introduction of the temporary residence permit system.

But if such a system is only based on the whims of administrators, it is not rational or lawful.

First, if the temporary residence permit system is cancelled because it went against the Administrative Permit Law, the new residence card system is illegal too. Any identity restriction on the migrant population is illegal because it has the same effect as the temporary residence permit.

Second, the Law on Resident Identity Cards has a ruling on the use and examination of the card. Any citizen required to prove his or her identity when engaged in relevant activities, he or she shall have the right to use the resident identity card for the purpose. This shows that urban management departments should not require citizens to show other certificates.

It is undeniable that the lack of sufficient information on ID cards is a reason for the difficulties in migrant population management. Therefore, reform of the ID cards should be considered so that holders can live freely in all regions in the country and administrators can realize effective management.

(China Daily July 10, 2007)