Gap Between China's Rich and Poor is at the Widest
 

Experts warn disparity will continue to expand if govt fails to act soon
March 3, 2010

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1...0cf6c5cf19.jpg

During the 2010 Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), it was determined that China recorded its widest rural-urban income gap last year since the country launched its reform and opening-up policy in 1978.

Urban per capita income stood at 17,175 yuan (2,500 dollars) in 2009, compared to 5,153 yuan in the countryside, a ratio of 3.33 to 1, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The agency did not compare that to previous years, but the China Daily newspaper said it was the widest gap since Beijing launched reforms in 1978 that set it on a capitalist path.

The disparity, arising from rapid economic development in coastal areas and cities, while the vast interior has lagged behind, has become a key concern of China's leaders as they seek to maintain social stability and prevent unrest.

The government has announced several new policies recently aimed at addressing the problem by spurring economic development in rural areas and stitching up holes in social safety nets.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5431/57120469.jpg

There has also been a swelling chorus for reform of a household registration system (Hukou system 户口) that prevents China's roughly 230 million poor migrant workers from gaining residency in areas other than their hometown.

This denies them access to public services such as unemployment and health insurance, and free public schooling for their children, forcing many to use precious savings to pay for them.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3405/68c91bf711.jpg

Housing prices will no doubt be at the top of the agenda at the 11th CPPCC National Committee meeting. Nearly 50 percent of proposals to this year's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) session are related to the housing sector, a key economic driving force that has fueled growing concern of a property bubble.

CPPCC member Pan Qingling told the China Securities Wednesday that housing prices in Beijing have surpassed those of Tokyo. Housing prices surged 9.5 percent from a year earlier in January, the fastest pace of growth in 19 months attributing the rise to record bank lending of 9.6 trillion yuan and favorable tax breaks.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3599/47309477.jpg
A Chinese woman begs with her child on the streets of Shanghai

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1926/14916102.jpg
A woman rides past a luxury Porsche sportscar in Shanghai

that's the difference between the poor and rich. Rich only gets richer while the poor get poorer.

all developing countries gap will continue to grow. there is no way to stop it..

thats just how the world is..

i would of given them some money and food.

trust me, in china when you give some change/food/clothing or anything to the homeless, people walking by who see you will think you're crazy. and i've seen some pretty poor looking homeless people there, like this guy who had no limbs...

:eek::confused: why would they think im crazy? i havent been to china in a long time.

This is not only happening in China... the disparity will be there since the rich can use their wealth, connections, and opportunities to generate more wealth, while the poor may not have any of those. It's just more obvious in China since the disparity is so great.
What makes things more sad is that a lot of mainlanders who live in the big coastal cities have no clue of the disparity and they think their country is the ultimate shit.

not true. you dont know what they think until you ask them first hand.

fuck what other people think:mad: i would've given them money regardless

this is the same in mexico

do i even have to say?

the issue with giving money to the homeless is once you give a dollar to 1 person, 60 more comes up to you and swarms you and surrounds you asking for money too.

Thats the pity thing, you give one, you're gonna be giving to all with a high probability of getting robbed as well when they swarm you. It's sad really, but for your own personal safety, don't do it.

I'm not saying all of those who live in the prosperous coastal cities think like that. There are those who think like that, there are those who don't, and I'm simply referring to those who do. Trust me... I've encountered enough of them to know what they think :lol.

I guess with their heavily censored media, the people might not know how crappy their positions are compared to others. Just my guess.

Not that I'm against your motion but if other homeless people saw you doing that then they'd be all over you asking for money/food too.

the problems of a country that got real rich real fast

Yeah I probably would do the same, since their doesn't seem to be any other homeless people around(or so I can tell from that picture)

thats not all the time. im sure if you gave money to the ones in the picture you wouldn't get much reaction. probably more if you gave to like a punk looking kid chasing you around, or those guys with cut up limbs tat actually work for the mob.

I usually just buy the kids and parents a bowl of hot noodles when i travel back to China.

why them? And did you see all the people behind the camera? Your wallet would be empty at the end of the bridge. :)

in china, you really have to be cautious of your stuff

Unfortunately, this is very true... :(

It's the same with all other countries. Just look at bank fees. Rich ppl get all sorts of incentives while those of us with less money get tacked with all sorts of bullshit admin fees.
Posted via RS Mobile

This is the same in India and many parts of the world. There is no "Middle Class".

if u did that.. EVERY fking begger would run after u... it happend 2 me.. i give 1dollar CND 2 a begging lady... nexting i noe.. there was like.. 8 other that come up and start begging.. and it grows... i booked the fk outta there and got into a taxi at about 13 beggers... oh.. i got pick pocked too... nothing much though... just about 5dollars CND...

the difference between china and mexico... if your young, the drug cartels offer you work. they pay a generous 4-500 US a week to be in their gang. thats how they recruit them young and get the loyalty. Where a normal average job pays maybe 150-200US a week at best. Its sad, and too many have died, but the fast life seems to be better than poverty down there.