Beijing's population at nearly 17 mil. in 2008

One in four residents in Beijing was a migrant worker, the agency said, reflecting the huge allure of China's big cities for people hoping to escape poverty in the countryside. The influx of migrant workers has been a major factor in boosting Beijing's population from just 15.4 million in 2004.

City authorities are facing major challenges created by the fast-growing population, such as how to sustain access to vital resources such as water. Beijing has suffered droughts every year since 1999, according to earlier reports in the state media.

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