"Ant Tribe" in China

Slums are nothing new in big cities around the world, but what makes China different is that they are not populated by uneducated and poor people, rather by college grads:

Once a small village of farmers and laborers, Tangjialing emerged as a cut-rate bedroom community in 2003 after the opening of massive software parks nearby, including the headquarters of computer-maker Lenovo Group and the widely used Internet search engine Baidu.com.

Now four- to six-story cement buildings in pastel hues dot the village. Most rooms contain little more than a wardrobe, a bed and a nightstand. There's no air conditioning in weather that can reach above 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsuis). Rent is $45 to $100 a month. Those willing to pay $15 more get a bathroom. Others use the public bath.

Professor Lian Si of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing described these people as the "ant tribe."

"Unlike slums in South America or Southeast Asia, these villages are populated with educated young people as opposed to laborers or street peddlers"



And yes, these are the people who make your iPhones.

Chi-Chi Zhang of AP has more over at MSNBC: Link


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