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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 current the population of Beijing, he said. 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."