Accurate population counts are difficult to obtain for Chinese cities because of complicated and somewhat illogical (to the Western mind, at least) census procedures. However, the population of Beijing is currently estimated at ten million people. This tremendous population causes many problems and puts almost inconceivable strains on many city services. Problems with housing, transportation, pollution, economics-- all are proportional to the enormous size of Beijing's population.
Adding to the difficulties resulting from an already extremely large and dense population, in-migration from the countryside is constant and heavy. For rural peasants the city holds several advantages which are seen as having the potential to contribute to a better life. City schools are far superior to rural schools and, furthermore, attendance at them is free. Rent in the city is cheaper than in the country. Wages are paid in cash. There are no special charges imposed upon urban residents as there are upon rural residents.
There are several problems associated with this rapid in-migration, however. For one thing, the rapid influx of people provides a large pool of cheap, unskilled labor. While the cheapness of this labor may be attractive to Beijing industry, the incredible number of people flowing into Beijing from the countryside everyday results in a surplus of unskilled labor. Finding jobs for these people proves to be difficult. Likewise, migrants further strain on other city services and amenities already stretched to the breaking point by a huge population. (CGC)
In the opinion of this author, Beijing's downfall in attempting to deal with a tremendous and ever-growing population has been inflexibility. The Chinese government has sat in its offices and stodgidly pointed to the ideals of the communist system, without looking out the window to see the reality in the streets. Many of the ideals of the communist system certainly have merit, such as providing housing for every person, but they seem to be providing government to create a false utopia. These ideals do not work for an incredibly large population without innovative new strategies and methods. If the Chinese government obstinately adheres to the principles it has written down on paper, and does not pay attention to the need to restructure and reconsider in order to ameliorate the horrid conditions so many of its people are living in, the entire system may crumble beneath their feet.