Core Viewpoint - A new round of household registration system reform in China is accelerating, allowing for mutual recognition of residence and social security years across cities within urban clusters, facilitating easier settlement in major cities for individuals working and living across city boundaries [2][3]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The State Council has approved pilot reforms in 10 regions, including key cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, aimed at promoting the rational flow of human resources [2][3]. - The pilot schemes will be implemented for two years, with an expected completion by 2027, significantly lowering the barriers for settling in major cities [2][3]. Group 2: Specific City Initiatives - Cities involved in the mutual recognition of household registration years include Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Suzhou, and Zhenjiang in Jiangsu, as well as Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou in Zhejiang [3][4]. - The pilot schemes in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle also emphasize the same mutual recognition of household registration years [4][5]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The reforms aim to break down institutional barriers to the free flow of labor and talent, enhancing the ability to attract talent and stimulate innovation [7][8]. - A key aspect of the reform is to ensure that new residents enjoy equal access to public services such as education, healthcare, and social security, which will require significant financial investment [7][8].

Core Viewpoint - A new round of household registration system reform in China is accelerating, allowing for mutual recognition of residence and social security years across cities within urban clusters, which will facilitate easier settlement in major cities for individuals working and living across city boundaries [1][2][4] Group 1: Policy Implementation - The State Council has approved pilot reforms in 10 regions, including key cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, aimed at promoting the rational flow of human resources [1][2] - The pilot schemes are set to be implemented for two years, with an expected completion date in 2027 [1][2] - The mutual recognition of household registration years is a key component of these pilot schemes, aimed at reducing barriers to urban settlement [2][3] Group 2: Specific City Initiatives - Cities involved in the mutual recognition of household registration years include Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [2][3] - The Suzhou pilot scheme emphasizes the need for cumulative recognition of residence and social security years among its cities [2][5] - The Hangzhou-Ningbo-Wenzhou pilot scheme proposes a system of household registration based on actual residence, along with the promotion of electronic residence permits [3][6] Group 3: Historical Context and Future Directions - The concept of mutual recognition of household registration years was first proposed in early 2019 and has been reiterated in various governmental documents since then [4][6] - Recent initiatives in Zhejiang have highlighted the importance of cumulative recognition of social security contributions within the Yangtze River Delta [4][5] - The reforms aim to address systemic barriers to the free flow of labor and talent, enhancing public service access for new residents [6][7]