Blog
China on the move
by Verena Nowotny
I am always happy to praise good journalism. The editors of the bi-monthly magazine "The World of Chinese" defnitely belong to this species. It is not a magazine for expats but wants to address all those who have a genuine interest what actually happens in China and what Chinese people say about it. The current edition dedicates quite some space to the topic of migration (pdf); the various motives and forms in which it takes place.
What a project: reforming the "Hukou" system
by Verena Nowotny
If China's leadership actually succeeds to tackle this issue, they deserve praise. The so-called "Hukou" system causes a lot of discontent and unrest as social security depends on this household registration system - excluding millions of Chinese from receiving social security benefits, such as migrant workers. On the other hand, any reform entails high costs for the cities that would need to cover the costs for social security benefits. It is a highly enthralling issue - read more about it in this New York Times article by Chris Buckley.
China's urban dreams
by Verena Nowotny
The British magazine Economist as well as the related think tank Economist Intelligence Unit offer an in-depth analysis of the current urbanization plans - and dreams - of the Chinese leadership. A useful overview of the chances and risks as well as the regional realities.
A price tag with 12 zeroes
by Verena Nowotny
The price tag is impressive. 42 trillion Yuan (5 trillion Euro) is the budget announced by the Chinese Ministry of Finance to raise the level of urbanization in China to 60 per cent by 2020.
A recent article in China Digital Times gives an overview about the discussion concerning these massive plans.
Saving old traditions
by Verena Nowotny
China is on the move: about 250 million people are supposed to become urban citizens by 2025 according to the plans of the Chinese government. This massive change has a huge impact on the way people live, how traditions can be kept and passed on. Learn more about the various facets of urbanization with this video of the New York Times.
The religious aspect of urbanization
by Verena Nowotny
it is not always over compensation that farmers refuse to leave their houses - "nail houses" as they are called because they look like a nail sticking up on a board. In his blog Sinosphere, Ian Johnson describes that religious feelings can be as strong a reason to try to stay on the countryside.