New Residence Permits for Cities Come with Fewer Benefits than Proposed

(Beijing) – The cabinet is linking fewer public services to a new residence permit or card that will soon be available to people who move to big cities than it initially considered offering because lower officials are worried about footing the bill for the changes, experts say.

On December 12, the State Council released the details of the new residence permit program that gives holders access to certain public services, such as schooling and health care, and also opens the door to changing household registration, known as hukou, and getting even more services.