The Hukou: China's Great Lottery of Life

[Click for Chinese Version]

Many of us have bought lottery tickets, and some of us have won. Regardless of our luck, though, gambling is a personal decision. And we accept the consequences of these choices, whether win or lose.

Our most important lottery ticket, however, is one we have no choice over, even though it affects our very lives. It's the circumstances into which we are born. Some are born without a limb, some with extraordinary IQs. Some are born with impaired senses, others with natural beauty. Some are born with silver spoons into wealthy families, while others are raised with groaning bellies by destitute parents.