A senior family planning official said here Thursday China's floating population has reached 120-140 million, accounting for 10 percent of the national total.

Zhao Baige, vice director of the State Population and Family Planning Commission, said at a press conference that the increase of the transient population accords with the country's rapid urbanization and represents social progress.

The Chinese government will equally protect the rights and interests of the transient population while protecting those of urban residents. Restriction on employment, medical care, education and social security for transient people will be lifted,she said.

Source: Xinhua