Migrant workers becomes entrepreneur

Millions of China's farmers have left the countryside to seek a better life in the city. Their exodus has helped push forward the country's urbanization and the economy. They are a force to be reckoned with. Today, CCTV International begins a special series - "My Migrant Life". We take you to the world of rural migrants to see their hopes and frustrations.

In today's program, instead of working for others, some rural migrant workers have become their own bosses. What changes have such choices brought for them? Liu Ying tells the story of a one man who's trying his hand at entrepreneurship in Beijing.

In tomorrow's My Migrant Life series, we show you the housing dream of migrant workers in big cities and how they are struggling to make it come true.

Duan Zhong'ai runs a small paint business in Beijing. The 33-year-old rural migrant comes from the northern province of Shanxi.

He's been in Beijing for nearly ten years and has worked as a painter at various furniture factories.

Two years ago, he went into business for himself.

Duan Zhongai, a rural migrant in Beijing, said, "Migrant workers, like me, have a lot of frustrations. Sometimes working hard for a whole year, but couldn't get the wages at the end. I've got no other skills. I just hope to earn a living in this industry. A friend of mine said to me 'You know so many painters, plant owners and contractors. Why don't you set up your own business in this industry?' I thought it might be a good idea. So with the help of my relatives and friends at home, I borrowed some money. I started with just 20 to 30 thousand yuan of investment. The business has been OK. Now I can earn some 70 to 80 thousand yuan a year. That's much better than before. My salary was only about 20 to 30 thousand yuan a year working at furniture plants. And sometimes I couldn't get paid. But now I don't have to worry so much about this."