The residence registration system cannot be designed only to
make it convenient for administrators, says an editorial in
Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:
The temporary residence permit system and its varieties have
been debated for quite a long time. After the Law of Administrative
Permission was introduced in 2003, the temporary residence permit
system was regarded illegal and cancelled in many cities. But it
was maintained in some cities for the sake of public order.
Last December, Shanghai adopted a migrant population-oriented
residence card system. Shenzhen is to launch a trial residence card
system in Yantian District next month.
No person or organization has the right to restrict Chinese
citizens' rights of freedom to reside in the territory of China.
But with an administrative power that wants to make it convenient
for management, citizens' rights are often infringed upon.
We can understand an urban management department's need for a
temporary residence permit system. There has emerged a huge migrant
population over the years, which has greatly challenged the
traditional mode of social management based on work units and
grassroots governments. Government departments, especially the
public security department, were facing difficult social management
tasks, hence the introduction of the temporary residence permit
system.
But if such a system is only based on the whims of
administrators, it is not rational or lawful.
First, if the temporary residence permit system is cancelled
because it went against the Administrative Permit Law, the new
residence card system is illegal too. Any identity restriction on
the migrant population is illegal because it has the same effect as
the temporary residence permit.
Second, the Law on Resident Identity Cards has a ruling on the
use and examination of the card. Any citizen required to prove his
or her identity when engaged in relevant activities, he or she
shall have the right to use the resident identity card for the
purpose. This shows that urban management departments should not
require citizens to show other certificates.
It is undeniable that the lack of sufficient information on ID
cards is a reason for the difficulties in migrant population
management. Therefore, reform of the ID cards should be considered
so that holders can live freely in all regions in the country and
administrators can realize effective management.
(China Daily July 10, 2007)