Beijing is set to launch a point system in the east suburban district of Tongzhou wherein migrants can have an easier time in claiming their permanent resident permits or "hokou."
The pilot system was integrated in the larger plan of the country to establish a new type of urbanization.
According to Tongzhou district government, it would now have a point system which lets migrants residing in the district to get their residency permits as long as they meet the criteria set, such as having stable and satisfactory jobs, accommodation, social security and duration of residency.
Migrants who only have household registration status can have this changed to local residents status when they satisfy the required amount of points. Authorities have to clarify more details and explain how the system would be done.
This is good news for those with household registration status because having a hukou could give better educational opportunities and increased employment support. Those with local resident status are also going to have better services and care when they reach senior age. In general, social welfare is better for local residents than those with household registration status only.
Migrants also believe that the new system is fairer and more objective. A migrant with the surname of Zhang, employed for nearly 10 years at an investment company in Beijing, favors the new policy for being transparent.
"Beijing needs to control population growth and meet demands of migrants to obtain 'hukou' at the same time. Once the pilot program turns out to be successful, it can set a good example to other places," Niu Fengrui, a researcher working for the Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies, surmised.