关键词: 中国, 城镇化率, 城乡划分原则和标准, 国际对比, 城乡界限淡化

Abstract: This paper examines the newly released figure of China′s urbanization rate by the end of 2011(51.27 per cent) from the perspectives of internationally accepted rules and criteria in the urban-rural classification and their changing trend in the context of blurred rural-urban distinction.The paper argues that the criteria adopted in China′s urban statistics are consistent with those accepted in the international practice,and that although there are some problems in China′s urbanization process,they do not constitute a denial to the fact that more than half of China′s population agglomerates in urban areas with internationally recognized urban characteristics.In fact,China′s urban statistics not only do not over-estimate China′s urbanization level,but under-estimate the depth and breadth of China′s urbanization process,because they do not cover a large number of quasi-urban populations who carry significant urban characteristics.Such inadequacy needs to be addressed in the future.

Keywords: China, Urbanization Rate, Rules and Criteria in the Urban-Rural Classification, International Comparison, Blurred Rural-Urban Distinction