Beijing population growth to maintain high pace in next five years

The rampant population growth in Beijing, driven by the accelerated urbanization process, has curbed the comprehensive development steps of this city, the capital of China. It is estimated that the population growth and the aging of the population will not slow down within next five years, namely the 12th Five-Year Plan period, according to the Beijing Population and Family Planning working meeting.

Ding Xiangyang , the vice mayor of Beijing city, pointed out that population growth has been accelerated since the start of the 11th Five-Year Plan period. Population climbed by 520,000 during each year of the 11th Five-Year Plan period. In the entire 10th Five-Year Plan period, the total figure was only 350,000. According to his report, the pace would "not slow down" in the 12th Five-Year Plan period.

Assuming an increase of 520,000 each year in the next five-year plan, there would be 24 million to 25 million residents in Beijing. In that case, there will be "drastic changes that cannot be predicted at present time" in social population structure, employment orientation, capacity selection, regional competitiveness and social securities, which accordingly impose burdens on city management and city services.

In 2009, the figure was only nearly 19.7 million. But Ding also said that the turning point for Beijing will show up after 2020. It is after the population explosion within these 10 years that the growth tendency of the guest residents will become relatively moderate and slow.

However, the aging pace of the population will rise at that time, Ding said. Therefore he delivered orders to conduct extensive research on population problems,

"We shall assess and adjust reasonably as well as promote strategic development in order to offer references and opinions to the government," Ding said.

By Li Yancheng, People's Daily Online

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