The seventh national population census shows that the mobile population in China exceeded 375 million, an increase of 69.73 percent compared with 2020. The rise in numbers reflects China's sustained economic and social development over the past decade.

In the early days, the eastern coastal areas with better economic performance were the go-to destination of migrant people. Nevertheless, thanks to policies supporting the central and western regions, these areas have attracted many talents and a large labor force. Such migration movements give full play to human resources' value, and help balance public services between different regions.

Population mobility can inject impetus into regional development. Aside from providing a workforce, it usually boosts exchanges of intelligence, capital, information, services and culture, promoting resource sharing and cultural diversity.

Therefore, governments at all levels should develop channels for human resources integration, through which talents can return to their hometowns for the purposes of entrepreneurship and employment, whereas people from the rural areas come to the cities to find jobs.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People.cn on May 12 

(Print Edition Title: Mobile Population)