Controversial article about Beijing polarizes opinion

Traffic in Beijing [Photo/VCG]

The People's Daily bites back

But People's Daily was quick to argue with the article.

"Admittedly, difficulties exist in Beijing. However, we all are leading a new life rather than faking it," the opinion piece commented.

All the difficulties derived from the high cost of living in megacities have been offset by other benefits, the piece said.

"Albeit the endless inconveniences, many more are flooding into these metropolises. They voted by rational decision-making after weighing up cost and benefits. Commuting between Huilongguan (a crowded community in north part of Beijing) to the CBD district (in east) could be exhausting, yet how about the growth potential? One would stay if it's worth it."

Regarding what Zhang claimed to be the indifferent environment in Beijing, the editorial said that the relatively low level of closeness between people is a prevalent feature of "modern life."

"To escape big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or not, it depends on personal opinion. Either option can not be defined as leading a pretended life."

The piece ended by affirming that Beijing would never grow like a "tumor" but will develop full of hope.