The fact that Shanghai's living cost surpasses New York urges the government to do more to improve people's livelihoods, says an article in the China Youth News. Excerpt:

In the recent 2012 global cities' living cost survey released by the Economist, Shanghai is listed at 42, which surpasses New York ranking at 47. Beijing also ranks 59th on the list.

Living cost is a crucial livelihood indicator. To compare the living costs among different areas we have to consider income levels, too. According to official US statistics, in 2009 the family per capita income in New York is about $39,200 while the number in Beijing for that year is about $4,250. In 2011 Shanghai's urban family disposable per capita income is $5,752 and rural family disposable capital income is $2,480.

Family incomes in China's big cities are much lower than that of New York. But it's strange that in many aspects, commodity prices in China's metropolises are not much cheaper than in US cities.

The high living cost drives many people away from China's metropolises. It's reported that after the Spring Festival this year, it's hard for companies of low-end industry sectors to hire enough employees in Beijing.

The authorities should do more to improve people's livelihoods. Statistics from the Ministry of Finance shows that in 2011 the nation's overall tax income is about 8.97 trillion yuan, which has a 22.6 percent increase compared with the number last year. The authorities should do more to invest more money in people's livelihoods and reduce people's living burdens.

(China Daily 02/22/2012 page9)