Housing prices and rents are rising sharply, especially in first-tier cities such as Beijing. The rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Beijing is more than 4,000 yuan, which is almost an entire month's pay of an ordinary wage earner.

Reports show that Beijing's migrant population declined by 600,000 in 2011 compared with 2010. This is the first time such a thing has happened.

Though it can be seen as a good sign: easing the population pressure on the capital. But people have to think about the high living cost that is driving low-income people away from the cities.

The government has been emphasizing the importance of boosting domestic consumption to fuel the national economy. But if people find it hard to even keep their pot boiling after paying for housing, how can they spend more on other things?

It's high time the government expedited the income distribution reform and took measures to increase ordinary people's income.

Autumn Moon, via e-mail

(China Daily 08/23/2012 page9)