China’s Urban Billion

China's drive to urbanise is expected to transform millions of poor peasants into city-dwellers in the next two decades. However, despite urban migration being a top priority for policymakers in Beijing, many ordinary Chines are feeling left behind by the country's rapid urbanisation.

The Chinese government aims to urbanise 200 million people over the next decade, including the development of "semi-rural" areas. China's rapid and significant urbanisation programme creates huge demands for infrastructure development (transport, housing, health, education etc). But it also comes with important social costs. Adapting to new lives is not easy and few of the newly urbanised population qualify for free education and other services.

Ben Marino from the FT has produced this excellent short video which highlights the key issues, particularly from the perspective of the rural population suddenly thrust into an urban environment.