Immigrants a sign of prosperity
- Source: Global Times
- [09:35 August 10 2010]
- Comments
By Ginger wRong Chen
When it comes to what makes the Shanghainese proud, the specific characteristics seem negative at first glance: the most expensive city, the coldest people, and now, illegal immigrants.
Over the years, China has been a huge source of illegal immigrants - think of the notorious snakeheads - and Shanghai was a popular port of exit. But as China's economy has grown, things have started to change. More and more people from abroad are trying to enter China, both legally and illegally.
Last year, there were 152,000 foreign resident workers in Shanghai, a 14 percent increase from 2008. And this is only the official number. God knows how many more are doing business here on visitor visas.
People from other developing countries like Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, and quite a few parts of Africa, are pouring in less gloriously and less legally. Those willing to work for less than locals get jobs on China's factory floor; for others, China is simply a new haven for opportunists.
Border police reported that the number of illegal immigrants who arrived in this country has grown by some 176 percent year-on-year. Sure, given the small base, 176 percent may not be as bad as it sounds. But it no doubt shows a new trend, and one that demonstrates a growing appeal for China. Otherwise, why would anyone want to come here?
That's one of the main reasons that some Shanghainese say with pride: "Finally, we have our own illegal immigrants."
Yes, strangely, a problem like illegal immigration has become a matter of pride.
If you look a bit closer, you can see that illegal immigration and rising prices, share the same origin: they are all side effects of development. They are problems, yet they are the kinds of problems only developed societies face.
Having said that, a problem stays a problem. In fact, according to Xinhua News Agency, the People's Republic of China - a country that has never before limited immigration - is planning to introduce its first immigration law in an effort to control the increasing number of foreigners coming to the country.
