Big money, relatively speaking, on offer to workers in China's cities has attracted millions of migrants, but Liu Yongzhen, 29, has decided to return home.
In March, Liu went back to Liucun Village in the heart of populous Henan province to open his own Internet cafe. He also applied for a loan of 50,000 yuan (8,000 U.S. dollars).
"I am not sure if I will earn more back here, but I have been away for more than ten years," he said. Working as a public toilet attendant in the city, Lui could earn 100,000 yuan a year at most.
Liu is not an exceptional case. Lots of migrant workers are shaking off their stereotype. True, many still toil under the scorching sun on construction sites or can be found dragging heavy luggage through busy stations as they move from job to job, but some have taken the government's bait and embarked on what they hope will be a journey to riches, or at least comfort and security.
They are China's newest entrepreneurs.
AN EBBING TIDE
The State Council, China's cabinet, announced new policies on Sunday to encourage migrant workers, college graduates and discharged soldiers to return to their hometowns and start their own small businesses.
The government has promised easy business registration and will even allow them to participate in rural infrastructure development and public services that are normally the exclusive preserve of the state.
By the end of 2014, there were 270 million rural laborers in cities, but it is estimated that some 2 million migrant workers have returned home.
Reasons as why to they choose to go back can vary. For Liu Yongzhen, it was for the sake of his children. He has a 7-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. Liu had heard plenty of tragic stories involving left-behind children, who fall easy victim to trafficking and abuse.
