Chapter 14 postscript

Before returning to China, I still remember that when I was discussing the topic of "China's Urbanization Process" with Zhang Fen, the editor-in-chief of FT Chinese website, Li Fen was very excited: "China's urbanization process and the wave of migrant workers are probably the largest in human history. The population migration tide, whether for China or for the world, has immeasurable significance and impact, and our readers will be interested." But I am a little embarrassed: Can I handle such a big problem? It has been fifteen years since I left China. In just one month of on-site interviews, can I straighten out the causes, consequences and trends of this huge social change that has lasted for nearly thirty years?

I have been living in the city, and I am a typical "urban animal". If I just find a few migrant workers, can I understand the joys, sorrows, joys, desires and pursuits of Chinese migrant workers? Li Fen seemed to see my hesitation. "Don't force it," he said to me. "I won't force you to write on a topic that you don't have passion or confidence in. You can change to a topic that you are more confident in." "Let me think for a few days and call you back." I said.A few days later, I found Li Fen and said, "Let me try it." I didn't choose another "more sure topic" because I felt that I still couldn't resist the temptation of this topic.

Although I grew up in the city, my whole life I have been involved with the Chinese countryside and the Chinese farmers; I have been paying attention to Chinese cities through reading Chinese newspapers and websites during the years I left China The process of urbanization and the issue of migrant workers; every time I return to China, I have contacted many migrant farmers intentionally or unconsciously, and I often discuss problems in the process of urbanization in China with my acquaintances. In fact, since migrant workers are found in every corner of Chinese cities, and due to the impact of urbanization in China, it is almost everywhere and all the time. It is very difficult for you to avoid these people and these things, even if you go to China occasionally Foreign tourists who are sightseeing can tell a few anecdotes about Chinese farmers who have moved to cities, not to mention that I am an overseas Chinese who is confident that my "roots" are still in China, and I often return to China for interviews and family visits.Therefore, I cannot say that China's urbanization process has no impact or impact on me.However, passive influence and impact cannot guarantee that I can fully grasp and fully understand the entire process and profound significance of this huge social change.

What should I do? After a few days of hard thinking and meditation before Li Fen's "reply", I at least sorted out the "strategic thinking" of how I should deal with this subject. First of all, I should greatly reduce the ambition or goal of "fully grasping" and "fully understanding" this huge social change by myself.The latest wave of urbanization in China has lasted for nearly 30 years, and there are already many words describing or interpreting it in China. Its vividness and depth are beyond the reach of overseas onlookers like me. At most, I can only go to China as a "far-sighteder" to experience it on the spot. Facing this big drama that is staged behind the curtain in the eyes of outsiders, if I am lucky enough, I might as well reveal a corner of it and "take a closer look" , can also be regarded as providing a unique "afterview" of "outsiders" for Chinese domestic readers.

Secondly, I should "leave" the task of "comprehensive grasp" and "full understanding" to "insiders": try to use the profound insight of experts and scholars in China to interpret the economic and social aspects of this rare population migration wave. and political implications. Today, when China Law Press publishes this book, I would like to thank my colleagues and responsible editor Han Manchun of the Law Press, and at the same time express my heartfelt thanks to the migrant workers, entrepreneurs, students, experts, scholars and officials who accepted our interviews and invited us to write articles. .