Man dreams of settling in Zhangjiagang

Chen Yong, 35, has worked in Zhangjiagang for almost 10 years. He chose to stay in the port city with his wife for the Spring Festival this year, as travelling back to his hometown of Chongqing was bound to be a miserable experience with long lines and packed stations.

The dorm where the couple lives was filled with special New Year gifts from their company, along with festive couplets written on red paper scrolls hanging over the front door. Chen and his colleagues already resumed working on Feb 1. "The daily payment for our extra work is 400 yuan ($58), double the usual time, and we are all in full swing," he said.

By working more than 10 hours a day without much of a break, Chen can earn about 100,000 yuan a year – an impossible income in his hometown.

"I've got my car. My future plan is to buy a house, and really settle here," Chen said.

Chen Yong works at the factory during the Spring Festival holiday. [Photo/zjg.wenming.cn]