Hukou, a resident permit given by the government restricting people from changing their permanent place, has been causing migrants endless troubles. People have to apply for a temporary living permit issued by the local government to stay in the area.

This controversial system stirred fierce debate again when Beijing published its new regulations on Aug 21 that states migrants whose monthly income is lower than 1,600 yuan will not be issued a Living and Working Permit, which is for those with diplomas and or with specialized skills in necessary industries, the China Times reported Aug 22.

The Beijing Living and Working Permit allows bearers the same rights as Beijing residents. Those who cannot meet the new demands will only get Temporary Dwelling Cards with restricted rights.

The primary purpose of the living permit is population control. The government is aiming to keep the population of Beijing under 16 million until 2010 in order to achieve a gradual increase in population so as not to overload the city's already stretched resources.

Other major cities in China also impose strict living permit systems to control migrant living, working and welfare conditions.

In Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, where there are no Living and Working Permits, all people who have migrated from other parts of the country hold the same Temporary Dwelling Card, no matter now long they've been living there or how much tax they payto the city.

As the Southern Metropolitan Daily reported Aug 24, a large number of migrants cannot enjoy the same rights as Guangzhou citizens, even though they are leading luxurious lifestyles in the city.

Mr. He, 33, is one of 5 million migrants in Guangzhou. He moved from Anhui Province 12 years ago, and is now fairly successful. He runs three companies in Guangzhou, but does not share the same rights as many of his employees.

"Nine out of 10 of my employees are locals. They are free to visit Hong Kong. But for me, a migrant boss, it's very difficult to get through the procedures," He told the paper.

Last month He decided to buy his wife a new car. When he was ready to pay for the car, he was told to show his wife's Temporary Dwelling Card to the municipal police station in order to register.

"My wife has no job, so she cannot get a dwelling card," he said.

A migrant surnamed Li owns a two-story apartment in Guangzhou's Bigui Garden residential community. He told the Southern Metropolitan Daily 30 percent of residents in this community are from the "floating population", just like him.

Experts say an isolated city cannot exist in modern times. Every city maintains tight connections with other places. If Beijing's living permit regulations are logical, cities piping water to Beijing can also price the water as high as they like, and provinces which feed electricity to Beijing can raise prices dramatically.

With or without hukou or living permits, people who intend to live in a city will still stay there. As a migrant said, he would "temporarily" live in his apartment forever.