China expands access to public services for non-Hukou residents
05 June 2026

China expands access to public services for non-Hukou residents

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China has unveiled a landmark reform that could affect hundreds of millions of migrant workers and their families. Supporters say it's a breakthrough for fairness and opportunity. Critics wonder whether cities can afford it and whether implementation will match ambition. Could this unleash new consumer spending and housing demand? Will China's biggest cities become even more attractive? And what happens to smaller cities if talent and people keep flowing away?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, AustChina Institute (Melbourne), Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Professor of Economics at University of Leeds and a visiting professor at Peking University to explore whether China is entering the next phase of urbanization and what that means for the country's future.