Evolution Hukou system

1 evolution

1.1 pre-1949: origins of hukou system
1.2 1949-1978: maoist era
1.3 1978-present: post-mao

evolution
pre-1949: origins of hukou system

the legacy of chinese hukou system may traced pre-dynastic era, 21st century bc. in forms, household registration system used purposes of taxation , conscription, regulating migration. 2 models of hukou system xiangsui , baojia systems. xiangsui system, established under western zhou dynasty (circa 11th-8th centuries bc) used method of organizing , categorizing urban , rural land. function of baojia system, propagated lord shang yang of 4th century bc, create system of accountability within groups of citizens: if 1 person within group violated strict rules in place, in group suffer. structure later utilized , expanded upon during qin dynasty (221-207 bce) purposes of taxation, population control, , conscription.

precursors hukou system used during qing dynasty monitor individuals , raise funds war

the first formal codification of hukou system arose @ end of qing dynasty (1644-1912) 1911 huji law. although movement nominally free under statute, registration of individuals government required, , used government pursue communist forces , basis taxation funding of wars. law expanded upon baojia system, , intended establish sense of stability.

in period following fall of qing dynasty, china ruled various actors, each of employed system of household or personal identification. during japanese occupation, japanese employed system used identify under rule , fund war effort. similarly, guomintang utilized system monitor activities of opponents, chinese communist party, , chinese communist party in turn used system called lianbao, bundled families groups of 5 in order aid in tracking , impeding counterrevolutionaries.

1949-1978: maoist era

at time of founding in 1949, people’s republic of china highly agricultural nation. 89% of citizens lived in rural areas – 484 million resided in countryside, versus 58 million in city. however, efforts industrialize increased, more , more rural residents flocked cities in search of better economic opportunities: between 1957 , 1960, there 90.9% increase in urban labor force.

a major objective of hukou system implemented central government control stream of resources moving away agricultural sector. instability , high rates of movement characterized years following establishment of nation impeded central government’s plan society , economy. although hukou system in current form not officially brought being until 1958, years preceding establishment characterized growing efforts chinese communist party assert control on populace. in 1950, minister of public security, luo reiqing, published statement detailing vision implementation of hukou system in new era. 1954, rural , urban citizens had been registered state, , rigorous regulations on conversion of hukou status had been implemented. these required applicants have paperwork documenting employment, acceptance university, or immediate family relations in city in order eligible. in march of same year, ministry of interior , ministry of labor issued joint directive control blind influx of peasants cities, proclaimed henceforth, employment of rural workers in city firms controlled entirely local labor bureaus.

on january 9, 1958, people’s republic of china hukou registration regulation signed law. divided populace nongmin, agricultural hukou, , shimin, non-agricultural hukou, , grouped citizens locality. key difference, however, lied in distinction between agricultural , non-agricultural hukou status. because central government prioritized industrialization, state welfare programs, tied hukou status, heavily favored urban residents; holders of agricultural hukous unable access these benefits , saddled inferior welfare policies. furthermore, transfer of hukou status highly restricted, official quotas @ 0.15-0.2% per year , actual conversion rates @ 1.5%. in following years, government oversight on movement of people expanded. in 1964, greater limits imposed on migration big cities, particularly major ones beijing , shanghai, , in 1977 these regulations furthered. throughout era, hukou system used instrument of command economy, helping central government implement plan industrializing nation.

1978-present: post-mao

from establishment of people’s republic of china until chairman mao’s death in 1976, central government tightened control on migration, , 1978, intranational movement controlled entirely government. because living “outside system” virtually impossible, movement of people state-sponsored.

however, deng xiaoping s rise power in 1978 came initiation of reforms steadily began alleviate of disparity between agricultural , non-agricultural hukou holders. restrictions have been loosened on movement rural areas smaller cities, although migration large cities such beijing , tianjin still heavily regulated. greater autonomy has been ceded local governments in deciding quotas , eligibility criteria converting hukou status. legislation has been enacted allow migrant workers obtain temporary residency permits, although these permits not allow them access same benefits possessed urban residents. however, living outside system more practical used be, number of migrant workers don’t acquire temporary residency permits – because don’t have resources or concrete employment offers – , such live in danger of being forced return countryside. , in 2014, central government announced reform among other things eliminated division between agricultural , non-agricultural hukou status.