Wang Yongjun, professor of finance at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, said the equalization of welfare "does not mean giving all citizens exactly the same level" of social security.

"It means that the minimum welfare standard for all citizens should be guaranteed by the government as its obligation to the people," he said.

Analysts believe the equalization of public services is the Party's direct response to the public's cry for hukou reform - especially for migrant workers - with the concept of granting property rights to farmers part of the same message.

Cao Yuanzheng, chief economist at Bank of China, said: "The integration of public services is the essence of healthy urbanization, and farmers will have the freedom to make a choice between the city and the countryside."

China has about 300 million migrant workers, many of whom leave their farmland uncultivated to work in cities without having the privileges that come with having hukou there.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.

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