Urbanization Narrows Gap Between Farmers, Urbanites

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 30, 2001

Urbanization Narrows Gap Between Farmers, Urbanites

Zhejiang Province, an economic powerhouse along China's east coast, has narrowed the gap between farmers and city dwellers in its urbanization process.
Some 10 million farmers in east China's Zhejiang Province have left behind the life style of their forefathers and started urban life in boomtowns that have prospered in tandem with the rapid development of township enterprises.

Zhejiang Province, an economic powerhouse along China's east coast, has narrowed the gap between farmers and city dwellers in its urbanization process.

For 17 years in a row, Zhejiang farmers have taken the lead among their nationwide peers in terms of annual income and average living standard, which are now equal to or have even surpassed those of some city dwellers.

Since China started reform and opening up in the late 1970s, more and more farmers in Zhejiang have given up farm work and started businesses in towns and cities. Their numerous successes have earned the name of "smart businessmen" for all Zhejiang farmers.

Today, the booming of village and township enterprises have provided job opportunities for over 10 million farmers in the province, who account for 40 percent of its rural laborers.

The provincial government has also stepped up efforts to remove barriers in urbanization. Residence system reform has allowed more freedom for people to migrate. The disparity between the urban and rural worlds has become less distinct.

Since October 1, the province has included farmers as part of its social security system by providing a basic living allowance for its 200,000 poverty-stricken farmers. The move is another endeavor of the provincial government to put rural and urban residents on equal footing.

Boomtowns Changing Farmers' Life Style

Some 10 million farmers in east China's Zhejiang Province have left behind the life style of their forefathers and started urban life in boomtowns that have prospered in tandem with the rapid development of township enterprises.

The boomtowns are just like any other big cities in China, with tall buildings, super markets, green fields, brightly-lit stores, restaurants and entertainment centers.

But for the former farmers, the changes are taking place not just within the surroundings, but also in their own life style.

Most people, either business owners or workers, have given up their local dialects and managed to speak Putonghua, the standard mandarin, in a bid to get an easy access to city life.

Unlike their forefathers who used to go to bed after sunset, the townsfolk now enjoy a more colorful night life, shopping and going to theaters and disco bars, among others.

Senior citizens often go on sightseeing tours across the nation and sometimes overseas.

The younger generation, like all their peers, like to surf the Internet to find more about the outside world. Computers and pianos have become new favorites in these boomtowns now that most families have air-conditioners and color TVs.

The children are much luckier than their parents, most of whom have got little schooling. To seek sustained development, the townsfolk have attached great importance to their children's education. More kindergartens and primary and secondary schools have been set up and well equipped to provide quality training to the younger generation, intellectually and morally.

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