Touching upon China’s “Hukou” policy, or household registration system, a piece of news related to helping college graduates to find jobs made the headlines at many domestic portals recently. It says restrictions on application for permanent residence in cities should be lifted for college and university graduates who signed labor contracts with local working units.

Following the State Council’s measures that called for lifting restrictions on application for permanent residence in cities for college and university graduates, the new “Hukou” policy in Shanghai, stating that non locals could apply for Shanghai residence with their residence permits, also attracted wide attention. The policy, although not detailed yet, has drawn positive reactions from public opinion. The “Hukou” reform in Shanghai, the fourth of this kind since 1978, is said to produce chain effect nation wide.

In January this year, top officials in Guangdong province agreed on a pilot program to carry out in the cities of Huadu and Panyu a household registration system that would cover both urban and rural residents, a “Hukou” access system that brought benefits to locals such as house, jobs and income.

Apart from that, the reform of social security system, which has attracted increasing public attention, and “full coverage social insurance”, which public care much about, are also closely connected with the “Hukou” reform.

Employment, medical care, pension … “Hukou” policy is adapting to the changing society – attracting talented people and advanced technology, boosting regional economy, creating jobs and encouraging people to set up private business and providing rural layoffs with more opportunities.

Can the “Hukou” reform be carried out as planned? Will the current rules that link to “Hukou” status be eliminated within one year? Will the reform push forward the social development with the help of ideological liberation? Will the barriers that limit the ability of rural “Hukou” holders to enjoy provision of public services on an equal basis with urban “Hukou” holders be abolished?

Either the new “Hukou” policy in Shanghai or the State Council’s measures could not bring fundamental change to China’s “Hukou” policy. The former one is now regarded as a prize to attract talented people, while the latter serves as a policy leverage.

Culture of household registration refers to the concept that has been greatly influenced by unequal social rights under “Hukou” system. The gap in terms of economic development between big cities and small cities also results in the difference of social status.

The coastal cities with fast growing economy are usually regarded as the frontier of reform and opening up. "Opening up" should embody two levels of meaning: opening to the world and opening up to all Chinese. Opening to the world could help China seek more channels for development, while domestic opening up, which includes “Hukou” reform, could find more opportunities for cooperation. It is a big task for these cities this year to continue to liberalize urban “Hukou” requirements, eliminate “Hukou” restrictions and remove structural barriers that are limiting the voices of rural residents.

By People's Daily Online