Chinanews, Beijing, April 26 - Li Yinsheng, a sociology professor of the Renmin University of China, has conducted an investigation on the life of beggars in Beijing, and the operation of homeless rescuing system there. Li was also asked to find out why people have become beggars.

 

Li designed a questionnaire, involving 1,000 beggars and other homeless persons in rescue stations. Eventually, answers from 670 respondents had been collected, 80% of whom were willing to accept the aid of rescue stations. However, some 50% of beggars are not willing to come to rescue stations at all, which reflects the biggest problem of the homeless rescuing system: it does not meet the needs of the people it tends to help.

 

"The system is based on a voluntary basis, but beggars are never willing to give up big money for just three plain meals a day at rescue stations," said Li. Besides, the rescue stations usually can't help the homeless in desperate need.

 

Li interviewed several beggars at a temple fair during the Spring Festival this year, finding that they can earn at least 500 or 600 yuan every day, a really decent income.

 

Li believe that the reform of the system on the sheltering and ejection of urban vagrants was started in a hurry, thus the current system is not mature enough to solve the problems of the urban homeless and beggars.