| Abstract | China has the world's largest population - 1.2 billion, of whom 130 million are classified as surplus rural labourers, and about 17 percent (20 million) of this surplus have migrated across provincial boundaries to seek jobs. By no means idle, the remaining 110 million are also on the move, heading for cities and towns within their respective provinces. However, according to recent reports, the waves of migrant workers may well swell to 300 million by the year 2000, with 30 million crossing provincial boundaries. Although these bare figures do not reveal the full extent of the impact of such a huge movement, concerned analysts in China have already warned that it could breach the dykes that have long held the country in relative peace and stability. |
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