Shanxi province published a new policy on April 18, with the aim of bringing its urbanization rate to 44 percent by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).

People normally residing in Shanxi's urban areas, including college graduates, skilled workers and those who return from studying overseas, may apply for the residence permits, according to the plan released by the provincial government.

Shanxi will abolish requirements for residence permits in small and medium-sized cities, and encourage Taiyuan and Datong, Shanxi's largest cities, to relax the requirement.

Local governments will also ease mortgage rules and offer housing subsidies for rural residents to buy homes and settle in cities.

Rural migrants with urban residence permits will have equal access to public services, such as medical insurance and education for their children.