China’s rapid urbanization needs managed

China's accelerating urbanization is approaching a critical stage, and how this is managed will have wide ramifications for the outcomes of many of China's present development challenges, reads a Tuesday report on national human development from 2011 to 2012.

China's 2013 National Human Development Report, jointly compiled by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said in 2011, the number of urban residents for the first time surpassed that of rural ones. The urban population is also forecast to grow by an additional 310 million by 2030.

"China is experiencing urbanization at a speed and scale that is unprecedented in human history," said Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator. "By comparison, this same demographic transition took 150 years to occur in Europe and 210 years in Latin America."

However, the challenges are immense, as large population migration will make services difficult to keep up with. It will also spike employment demand, increase the demand for resources, and put pressure on sustainable growth. A governance system is needed to cope with this rapidly changing environment.

Xie Zhenhua, a deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said China is faced with both opportunities and challenges during its urbanization. The rate - 52.57 percent - is still far below that of developed countries, but the focus should be shifted from speed to quality. "The commission is now drafting a plan for the country's new pattern for its urbanization and working closely with the UNDP on improving our ability to deal with climate change," Xie said.

The report further points out that many trials in promoting ecological cities need investment in fields including environmental protection, social services and appropriate infrastructure.

Pan Jiahua, director of the Institute of Urban and Environment Studies at CASS and chief editor of the report, urged officials to take decisive action towards the problems of urbanization, noting that the aging population and current resources can't afford to wait to be fixed by officials any longer.