China's new residence permits promise better public services

From next year, an interim regulation on China's residence permit system will ensure access to basic public services while encouraging local governments to provide better services.

"Basic" public services include items such as education, basic employment services, passports, automobile registration, etc.

The regulation will make public services available to more citizens and promote social equity, the statement said.

The regulation, published on the order of premier Li Keqiang, is part of changes being made to the household registration "hukou" system.

Most public services are linked with hukou, and as the migrant population increases, the system is becoming more flexible. A temporary residence permit system for migrants has been widely criticized for injustice and inequity. In February, the top leadership approved major reforms of the police system, abolishing temporary residence permits.

Several big cities have already implemented the new residence permit system. Endi