the poor are deprived of the right to earn wealth. If so, the government needs to reconsider its policies and change the system by creating more job opportunities or offering free education to give the poor the tools to get rich.

Major obstacles facing the government are capital, information and technological bottlenecks for the poor to be employed or reemployed. If the government has sufficient funds, it will be able to carry out more effective poverty relief programs, such as free vocational training programs for laid-off workers.

Dongguan's cash subsidies are expected to cost 120 million yuan. If this huge amount of money can be channeled into job creation efforts, I believe the effects will be much better than mere cash assistance, because they are at least long-term.

Liu Jinping (www.guancha.gmw.cn): Although they have no permanent residency in the city, migrant workers in Dongguan also pay taxes, but cannot enjoy the cash subsidies. The implementation of dual standards on citizens' rights and obligations violates the principle of justice.

Yet soaring prices create equal living pressure for Dongguan's non-residents, who also have to pay for daily necessities and rent. Without residency, they will have to pay much more in medical care and education since they cannot get public financial aid.

The hukou system is a byproduct of the already scrapped planned economy. However, Dongguan based its cash subsidy initiative on this system. As a result, its failure is doomed.

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