Internal and International Migration in China under Openness and a Marketizing Economy

Internal and International Migration in China under Openness and a Marketizing Economy Since the adoption of the open policy in China in 1978, internal and international migration has taken on a new significance. Within the country, internal migration, previously strictly controlled under the hukou (or household registration) system, has witnessed progressive relaxations. This paper attempts, through a review and synthesis of the literature, to present the causes, patterns, dynamics, consequences and implications of internal migration. International migration from China dating back to the nineteenth century has recently made newspaper headlines because of the exceptional circumstances under which it took place. Contemporary international migration is complex, involving more countries, people, capital and cultures. This paper discusses different migration streams in various categories, namely settler migrants, student migrants, contract laborers and illegal migrants. This paper concludes on an optimistic note with the observation that, while internal migration is at its freest and most frequent now compared to the past half century, there is room for further relaxation. However, a delicate balance necessarily has to be struck between upholding the hukou system and allowing total freedom of population mobility. With regard to international migration, China is likely to participate more actively and in greater numbers as its economic transition further proceeds and globalization continues.