The reform of the residence registration system should keep
moving ahead, says a signed article in Beijing Youth
Daily. An excerpt follows:
Beijing recently adjusted its restrictions on hukou, or
permanent residence registration.
The qualification for registration was lowered and registration
procedures were simplified.
Now a minor with one parent being a permanent resident can
qualify for permanent residence. Also, the new rule simplifies
application and approval procedures. The time period for a resident
to obtain a new identification card is shortened from 20 to 15
working days.
But we should also realize that the reform of Beijing's
residence registration system has been a bit slow in recent
years.
The current registration system has impeded the free flow of
population from rural to urban areas. The system should be
completely reformed to protect citizens' basic rights. A consensus
has been reached on this. The only remaining issue is the speed of
reform.
The speed should fit a city's development, including the
capacity of the city's transport, school system, labor market and
public security.
Reformers should not be affected by conservative vested interest
groups but see the significance and ethical value of free flow of
population. They should see the potential business opportunities,
as well as the potential for cities to digest the population impact
with their own development.
(China Daily April 25, 2007)