Beijing, 13 January 2007 - Over 300 million Chinese farmers will migrate from rural to urban areas in the coming two decades, challenging urban infrastructure, according to a report issued by the State Population and Family Planning Commission. China's rural areas still have a surplus labour force of 150 million to 170 million, and these people will continue to migrate to cities.

The surging migrant population would pose challenges to urban infrastructure, public services and Government administration, and make it more difficult to implement family planning policies, the report continues. The report adds that China was undergoing the biggest wave of migration in its history, and called on local Governments to offer job information and professional training to migrants, and guarantee them medical services and social welfare.

The interests of migrants should be protected, especially the right of migrant children to receive education, the report said. Minister of the State Population and Family Planning Commission, Zhang Weiqing said the Government should gradually reform its household registration system to enable the migrant population to have access to urban services, and set up a social security network for migrant rural workers.