Historic move to streamline departments

Immigration administration to serve growing number of migrants

According to the draft proposal that the State Council, China’s Cabinet, submitted to the ongoing first session of the 13th National People’s Congress on March 13, the establishment of a specific administrative body for immigration affairs is of great significance for the Chinese people as well as foreigners planning to migrate to China in the near future.

First, the planned immigration administration is a requirement of the times, as more and more people who share the Chinese Dream are migrating to China. A blue book series, Annual Report on Chinese International Migration, published by the Center for China and Globalization, says China has become a more desirable immigration destination because of its rapidly expanding economy and relatively low living costs. Also, pursuing the Chinese Dream has become a new trend in global immigration.

Second, the planned immigration administration will help China to build a global competitive talent immigration system and take advantage of international immigrants to facilitate the building of a moderately prosperous society in the new era. So China needs a smooth immigration management system.

Third, the new administration may more easily meet immigration challenges. For instance, an increasing number of illegal immigrants in some parts of China pose a challenge to urban management, which the new administration should effectively overcome.

Fourth, China needs the new administration to deepen its participation in global immigration management and strengthen international cooperation on immigration.

With the help of the new administration, China will also have a bigger say in the immigration issues on the world stage.

Wang Huiyao, founder and president of Beijing-based independent think tank Center for China and Globalization and a counselor to the State Council