Workers head home for Lunar New Year

Over the past few years, China's central and western regions have been picking up the pace of development in contrast to the slowing economy in the east. Of the waves of migrant workers heading home as the year comes to an end, how many of them will venture out east again to find new work?

The third train of the day carries hundreds of migrant workers back from Guangzhou. For some, this could be a one-way journey. As the economy continues to speed up in western China, more migrant workers are choosing to work in the region. Some want to be closer to home.

"Chengdu is now improving in all aspects. We'll go back to Guangdong for another few years and then come back to Chengdu. We've traveled a lot between Guangdong and Sichuan for work."

"I will see if there are any job opportunities in Sichuan after the Spring Festival, and I would like to come home for work. Guangdong is too far away from my hometown."

With the support of a variety of preferential policies from the central government, western China has become many investors' first option. Analysts say more job opportunities suitable for migrant workers are being created in recent years.

Lei Guofu, director of Sichuan Dev't & Reform Commission, said:"The economy is really moving in Sichuan. Last year, the total amount of investment was more than 1.8 trillion yuan. The continuous optimization of the industrial structure provides job opportunities at different levels, which is very appealing to migrant workers."

Analysts predict with Sichuan's current labor export of over ten million workers each year, the province will find its labor force lacking in 2020 if reform continues to push local economic growth.

Professor Lu Yangchun, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, said:"The flow of migrant workers reflects the current adjustment of the industrial structure in the eastern and the western regions. Through implementing China's west development strategy and improved investment environment and transportation, more human capital will come in. "

As more international giants move into western china, the local economy will not only be driven up, but will also lead to better circulation of capital and in turn, stimulating China's overall economy.