Equality urged for migrant workers

Officials and experts on Wednesday urged resolute action to help the country's 250 million migrants gain access to public services and welfare in cities and create a fairer environment for them.

China employs what is known as the hukou system, which refers to a permanent residence permit that entitles one to access public services, such as education, but only in the place where the hukou is.

This system has led to disparities between urban and rural residents in terms of access to public facilities and services, said Li Tie, director-general of the China Center for Urban Development under the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin.