“My classmates don’t think much about the hukou [household registration] issue now when they are looking for jobs, because it is easy to settle down anywhere except in Beijing, and we mainly consider career prospects and personal interests,” Liao said. The household registration system has been blamed for dividing the population into two social groups – urban and rural residents – and restricting people’s mobility. “They do not have urban hukou or residency, and cannot enjoy basic public services that are available to their urban counterparts,” he said. While the household registration system may no longer be as restrictive as it was, it can still have significant bearing on individual families, especially those who want to become homeowners. More from South China Morning Post:For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app.

Source: The Star May 15, 2021 02:55 UTC