Can China Keep Its New Promise to City Migrants?

China is currently home to the largest migration in human history, with hundreds of millions of people moving from rural areas into cities in search of a better life. That “better” life, however, has proven hard to grasp—especially when a lack of residency status in those cities means migrants can’t access public services like health care and education.

But the government’s latest move may finally provide some relief to the more than 250 million migrants across the country. Starting January 1, 2016, every city will be required to provide residency status and basic public services to anyone who’s lived, worked, or studied in that city for at least six months. Those who hold residency permits may eventually apply for hukou, or permanent residency, which would grant them access to the same services that local residents have. (The new regulation doesn’t apply to day laborers, however.)