More equitable development needed

The mention of the word hometown, especially during Spring Festival, evokes fond memories among migrant workers who are forced to live away from parents and/or families all year long. The more than 3 billion rail, road and air trips migrant workers will make - moving between two cities - during the travel peak indicate that their lives are more like a "tale of two cities", says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

More than 50 percent respondents to a recent survey said they planned to work in the first-tier cities after Spring Festival, with only 13.8 percent saying they would work either in their hometowns or neighboring towns and counties. The problem is that if people working in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai move back to their hometowns, they cannot find enough opportunities without strong social connections.

A "tale of two cities", the story of many Chinese people, is a result of urbanization. Enjoying policy and resource advantages for years, big cities have expanded and prospered, while lack of adequate funds has left many medium and small-sized towns less developed and the greater part of rural areas underdeveloped. Besides, the uneven distribution of education resources has forced many students and youths to seek higher education and employment in big cities.

From the experiences of non-urban youths, we know that instead of trying to settle down in big cities, they actually pursue better opportunities for development and a favorable atmosphere to prosper. Therefore, if more funds and resources are allocated to rural areas, not only will fewer people leave them, but also more "sons of the soil" will return home.

Only by allocating resources in a fairer way and opening the doors to everyone who returns home can the authorities assure young people that they could settle down in their places of birth and push forward local urbanization.