Urbanization's Dark Side: China's Grand Plan

After witnessing the success of the "four tigers" of Asia (Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong), it should not surprise us that China too wants to rapidly urbanize in order to compete better in the global economy. However, the government desires to move away from an export-based economy toward a different structure, one of consumer demand, much like the current world hegemon's. With this grand plan comes the forced exodus of Chinese farmers to newly constructed urban centers connected to China's great cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, by rail. I use the word "exodus" because the migration of China's farmers, which is meant to stimulate the state economy by transforming self-sufficient farmers into consuming urbanites, involves harsh measures including relocating thousands to cities where their rural skills never stood a chance. And often these so-called cities are often little more than miles of shoddy apartment complexes. As told in New York Times conducted video interviews, government officials will come to a rural area, physically forcing farmers and their families from their homes. They will either have them sign contracts they are not allowed to read or promise them some form of compensation including worker benefits, free housing, and public education for children. Sadly, the government rarely follows through. In case of local protest, authorities are not afraid to shut down public schools, so the future of rural children is at risk. Now, farmers turned city dwellers inhabit food deserts and lack the necessary skills to earn a living. Currently, tax and land rights' reforms are required for China's urbanization plan to succeed, and hopefully, one of them includes human rights considerations.

See video for more information: http://nyti.ms/1emn8Ru

Also, please read the New York Times coverage "Leaving the Land" for more comprehensive research on China's grand plan to urbanize in the 21st century.

Photo taken from The New York Times "Leaving the Land"