More college graduates are giving up job offers with higher salaries for lower ones being offered at companies that provide coveted household registration status in Beijing, even amid increasing restrictions on property and vehicle ownership in the capital, reported by CYOL, July,18th.

Duan Jun, a graduate from Henan province, has won many awards in college and worked as an intern in Beijing in his junior year. Duan had a clear goal of working in the capital after school. Two companies offered him positions after his internship but they could not help him obtain what he wanted - a household registration, or hukou, in Beijing.

"I just want a Beijing household registration," Duan said.

Having a hukou in Beijing and being registered as its resident gives access to valuable resources such as pension insurance, retirement funds and low-income housing unmatched in many other areas.

Compared to other provinces, the national college administration requirements for Beijing students are also much lower. That means the enrolment rate for Beijing students are much higher than those from other places.

Many feel that getting a Beijing hukou is the ticket to higher social status and treatment. For many graduates, a Beijing hukou is of paramount importance.

The number of college graduates in Beijing in 2011 has reached 229,000, 10,000 more than last year and adding to the fierce competition for Beijing hukou. Quotas for the hukou have also been shrinking.

"Getting a Beijing household registration is more important than getting a better job for me," said Cao, a college graduate of the Beijing-based Renmin University of China.

"You can earn money but the advantage of a Beijing hukou for getting into university is something money cannot buy. My dream of a Beijing household registration is not just for myself, but for my child's future. With a Beijing household registration, it is also easier to find a girlfriend.

"No household registration means no way to buy a house. Without a home, who will marry you?"

According to a statement issued by the central government, cities should abolish limitations on the settlement of college graduates. As for municipalities, the settlement policy should comform to relevant regulations. Although the household registration system across the country in recent years have relaxed, it is getting more difficult for college graduates from other places to get Beijing household registration.

Beijing also introduced purchase restrictions on property and vehicles last year to deal with rising urbanization and population challenges. From Dec 23, 2010, only non-native Beijingers who have the requisite "Beijing residence and working permission permits or proof of transitory residence over 5 years and payment of social insurance and personal income tax are eligible to buy property in the capital. On Feb 16, the Beijing municipal government launched details for regulating the purchase restrictions.

China restricted property and vehicle purchases in Beijing following excessive property price growth and overwhelming traffic jams, reflecting its determination to avert a speculative real estate bubble and improve transportation.