ABSTRACT
Between 1960 and the early 1980s, China experienced very low levels of ruralurban migration. This was the product of a strict system of residential controls, reinforced by central dominance over urban employment and housing, and by state rationing and distribution of daily necessities. During the reform era, this changed rapidly and by the late 1980s rural-urban labour migration had assumed huge proportions. While not denying the role of the state in structuring these processes, this chapter emphasizes the role of millions of migrants in bringing about change, at times pressing state policies to the limits.
