Beijing Population Officially Reaches 21.5 Million; Mulls Relocation Program

The population of our fair city officially reached 21.5 million in 2013, the Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday. More than one-third of the city's population was classified as migrants; these 8 million people are described as non-residents who have spent at least six months in Beijing.

The Beijing Municipal Government clearly thinks that's more than enough citizens. On Wednesday, Beijing announced it will "transfer" five million people to neighboring Hebei province and parts of Tianjin, according to a report in the Global Times.

However, rather than a forced relocation of almost a quarter of Beijing's residents, both Hebei provincial officials and the Beijing Municipal Government will seek to construct a sixth district for the capital; this new part of Beijing will contain sufficient infrastructure to attract current Beijing residents to move out of the city. The two governments also said they would work together to relocate some industries to other areas of Hebei, in order to relieve pressure on Beijing's resources.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning may amend the general plan that governs Beijing's development, which calls for a total population of 18 million by 2020.

Photo: Slow-Chinese