The Southern Metropolis Weekly recently conducted an opinion survey among natives in big cities. It gauged their sentiments on the growing non-native population flowing into big cities.
Guo Renshou, 71, a craftsman in Beijing
Non-natives have ousted us authentic Beijing locals. In the rush toward modernization, governmental leaders have evicted tens of thousands of families and razed block after block of charming old dwellings so that non-native developers could erect high-rise office complexes, hotels and apartment buildings. We are the victims. We used to live downtown, but now we have been forced to relocate in the suburbs. Today, members of the moneyed elite—largely non-natives—reside in the best parts of the city and they purchase the most luxurious sedans.
I know it is not use complaining, but we really cannot restrain our anger.
Li Fan, 40-odd, a famous composer in Beijing
I am a native. Nowadays, non-natives have outnumbered the natives in Beijing. Among the upper classes and intelligentsia Beijing natives have no competitive edge. What is truly outrageous is that many natives have been squeezed out of their residences for generations. Naturally, their resentment against non-natives has festered.
Wei Lan, 37, an office worker in Beijing
Locals are the same everywhere. But I do think that people are entitled to enter big cities in quest of self-fulfillment or a better life. But if the non-natives would put themselves in our shoes, they would also agree that the increasing population has brought a crushing burden on locals. Jobs are hard to find. House prices are skyrocketing. What more can I say?
Mr. Qian, 32, a journalist based in Shanghai
Middle-aged natives are more liable to oppose non-natives. They grew up when China still had a rigid household register system and population mobility was almost stagnant. So they believed themselves to be superior to their countrymen.
But since the 1990s, Shanghai locals have intensely felt the biting effects brought about by economic reforms. Quite a few locals have been laid off. Their situation was further compounded by the flooding population of aliens who made job opportunities even harder to come by Shanghai.
Mrs. Yuan, 78, a retired worker in Shanghai
I have lived here since I got married. We were friendly with the neighbors, just like an extended family. But now, our neighbors are non-natives. I don’t loathe them, but we have different habits. We cannot live on intimate terms like before, because I always sense a kind of estrangement between us.
Xie Jiaxin, a high school student in Guangzhou
I quite hate the non-natives. When I return home from school in the evening, a few non-natives often harass me; they blow their whistles at me like rascals.
The migrant workers in my father’s factory like spitting. It makes me sick.
My classmates and I only watch local TV programs and talk in Cantonese. We think people from northern China are quite out of date.
Mr. He, a retired self-employer in Guangzhou
We Cantonese are quite down-to-earth, but we don’t like the non-natives under our feet. As long as we can co-exist without trouble, we don’t oppose the non-natives who make a living in Guangzhou.
(China.org.cn by He Shan, September 19, 2007)
