Migrant workers gets urban residency

China's millions of migrant workers are a major force in the nation's metropolitan development. But most lack a sense of belonging to the cities in which they live. To acknowledge their contributions, the country has decided to grant permanent urban residency to some of its most hard-working talents. In today's edition of "My Migrant Life," our reporter Wang Mangmang finds out how one woman finally became Shanghainese.

Fine craftsmanship and full devotion make Yuan Zhaodi one of the most respected technicians in her department.

Eighteen years of efforts in Shanghai eventually paid off. Achieving permanent resident status has fulfilled her cosmopolitan dreams.

Yuan said, "I wanted some change. I wanted a sense of accomplishment. But just hard work is not enough. To establish myself in this modern metropolis, knowledge and skills are the most important things. I feel very proud about my job. When a ship begins its voyage, I know I created part of it."

This factory makes some of the world's largest ships. Most of the builders are rural migrants who've obtained valid certificates for their jobs.

Outstanding blue collars in the manufacturing industry are most likely to win urban residencies. Last year, Yuan was among the first 40 people to have excelled.

Her department supervisor thinks she definitely deserves it.

Liang Luanfeng, Dept. Supervisor of Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Cp., Ltd., said, "The company depends on migrant workers, and we respect them. Yuan worked so hard to prove her worth. It's about time the city acknowledged her hard work, and that of people like her."