Beijing: Finding Humanity's Place in Development

I was born in Beijing and have witnessed the city's transformations. The red walls of the Forbidden City and the skyscrapers of Zhongguancun together paint the Beijing of my memories. Beijing is undoubtedly beautiful, and I could write much about its scenery, history, and culture. But in today's blog post, I want to discuss what truly prompted me to observe this city deeply—those invisible yet profoundly impactful institutional designs, particularly the urban access mechanisms constructed by the household registration system.

In high school, out of personal interest, I conducted research on the gig economy and filmed a short documentary about the lives of migrant workers. A delivery rider who worked 14 hours a day once told me, "He lives and works in Beijing, but he feels like he doesn't belong here." This statement made me reflect: What does Beijing mean to its residents, and how can the city's inclusivity be better embodied?

The household registration system holds special significance in Beijing. It is not merely an identity document but also a pass to access core resources such as education, healthcare, and housing. Historically and today, Beijing's household registration policies have continuously sought a balance between resource allocation and population control. Data shows that among those who have obtained household registration through the points-based system in recent years, over 80% hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with an average age of around 35. In contrast, migrant workers engaged in basic service industries often struggle to meet the threshold for registration.

During my research, I met a caregiver who had worked in a hospital for seven years. She spent her days tending to Beijing's elderly, while her own children could only attend school in her hometown. She told me, "I know every subway line in Beijing and which hospital serves the best food, but my home isn't here." This dilemma of serving the city yet struggling to settle down reflects the reality for many migrant workers.

Beijing presents two strikingly different faces. For highly educated talents, it is a stage full of opportunities—quality employment, abundant cultural resources, and advanced research environments. However, for ordinary laborers, it often means a high cost of living, limited social security, and an uncertain future. This division shapes the city's social fabric. Young professionals may choose to stay for a job that offers household registration, viewing Beijing as a platform to realize their personal value. Meanwhile, many service industry workers maintain a temporary mindset, treating Beijing as a stop along their life journey.

In my view, measuring a city's development should not only consider how many high-end talents it attracts but also its inclusivity—how the city treats the ordinary people whose labor keeps it running.

From a historical perspective, Beijing has always adapted to the changes of the times. From imperial capital to national capital, from an industrial city to an international metropolis, each transformation has been accompanied by adjustments in population structure. Today, Beijing faces new challenges: how to maintain vitality while controlling its size, how to ensure basic services while attracting talent, and how to uphold social fairness amid rapid development.

The Beijing I see is a complex system in constant adjustment. It boasts the nation's best educational resources, but it also hosts families struggling to enroll their children in school. It offers world-class medical facilities, but also leaves elderly migrant workers grappling with inconvenient cross-province medical reimbursements. It has a thriving job market, but also includes flexible workers lacking adequate protections.

Making Beijing better means finding a better balance between urban development and human needs. This requires greater wisdom from policymakers and the collective participation of all sectors of society. As a young person who grew up in this city, I am willing to continue observing, recording, and pondering these questions. Because I believe that only when the city's lights can warm everyone who contributes to it can Beijing truly be called great.