Protect farmers' legal rights in urbanization

A "counter urbanization" phenomenon in some areas deserves the attention of the Chinese government, says an article in 21st Century Business Herald. Excerpts:

Some city governments have set up new requirements of diploma, skills and investment for people who apply to settle in their cities. These conditions make it hard for farmers to obtain legal permanent urban resident identities. Some farmers also want to retain their rural resident identities to profit from land price hikes.

It is estimated local government have to pay about 80,000 yuan ($12,700) for each new city resident from the countryside to cover the social security and pension gap. It is right for such governments to be prudent when considering whether to open the city gate to farmers, given local governments' rising debts. But that will not fend off the farmers. No matter in which direction China's urbanization goes, the core issue is to protect the farmers' legal rights and interests and their property rights over their land.

Even after the city governments have enough revenue to pay for public services for newcomers, the farmers should also have the right to independently choose if they wish to retain their rural identity.