Spurred by Deng Xiaoping 's reform policies of the 1970s , which were aimed at modernizing an economy that had been dominated by agriculture , millions of Chinese farmers have been on the move , a massive internal migration that has changed the face of China . 2011 : China counted 700 million urban dwellers , 200 million in rural areas . China 's breakneck economic growth has caused explosion in many of China 's cities . Many migrant workers , known as ` ` ##s , '' have left the countryside for the cities . Analyst : Urbanization is an irreversible process in the next 20 years .
2011 : China counted 700 million urban dwellers , 200 million in rural areas . China 's breakneck economic growth has caused explosion in many of China 's cities . Many migrant workers , known as ` ` ##s , '' have left the countryside for the cities . Analyst : Urbanization is an irreversible process in the next 20 years .