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Half Chinese 'in cities by 2010' | Half Chinese 'in cities by 2010' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Half of China's 1.3 billion people will be living in cities by 2010, according to officials quoted in the state-run China Daily newspaper. | Half of China's 1.3 billion people will be living in cities by 2010, according to officials quoted in the state-run China Daily newspaper. |
This mass migration will put a strain on resources and cause environmental damage, said Shan Wenhui, at the Centre for Urban Studies at Fudan University. | This mass migration will put a strain on resources and cause environmental damage, said Shan Wenhui, at the Centre for Urban Studies at Fudan University. |
It will also exacerbate disparities in wealth, he told the newspaper. | It will also exacerbate disparities in wealth, he told the newspaper. |
About 13 million rural Chinese move to the cities every year, added Qiu Baoxing, Vice-Minister of Construction. | About 13 million rural Chinese move to the cities every year, added Qiu Baoxing, Vice-Minister of Construction. |
That figure is equivalent to the current population of Beijing, he said. | |
'Prudent decisions' | 'Prudent decisions' |
The mass migration has been triggered by rural people's desire to take part in China's economic boom. | The mass migration has been triggered by rural people's desire to take part in China's economic boom. |
To accommodate this mass movement of people, a huge amount of resources are required. | To accommodate this mass movement of people, a huge amount of resources are required. |
According to the China Daily, China already accounts for 40% of the world's total annual cement consumption, and 30% of global steel consumption. | According to the China Daily, China already accounts for 40% of the world's total annual cement consumption, and 30% of global steel consumption. |
"The country cannot afford to make any mistakes in its urbanisation policy," said Mr Qiu. | "The country cannot afford to make any mistakes in its urbanisation policy," said Mr Qiu. |
"It has to make very prudent decisions, based on learning Western countries' lessons and experiences." | "It has to make very prudent decisions, based on learning Western countries' lessons and experiences." |
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