A CRIMINAL RING SELLING THE QUOTAS OF Beijing hukou, or household registrations, was cracked in recent days with 16 offenders arrested or detained. It is not the first time that such an illegal business has been uncovered. The fact that managers of human resources in some State-owned enterprises are involved points to the abuse of such quotas.

This business is illegal but it has existed for a long time as many university graduates covet the long-term benefits a Beijing hukou entails. With such a certificate, it is easier for a graduate to land a job in the capital, and with a job in the city and his or her family as residents, there is a better chance their child(ren) will enter better schools and universities.

That explains why many are willing to pay through the nose for such a certificate. And that willingness to hand over large sums of money attracts those willing to break the rules to pocket it.