I can't say if I agree with Zuisetsu Su's prediction. But for quite a while, I've been wondering how long China's migrant labor-based economic boom can last.

There are plenty of figures, models and analysis from economists out there. I just happen to believe that China's migrant labor waves will die down as a result of what's changing in people's minds.

I'm talking about values and beliefs.

Among the emerging economies, be it India, Vietnam or South America, has any other country seen anything as phenomenal as China's population of 100 million migrant workers who work out of town all year round?

Most of them work laborer jobs that local city residents wouldn't want to take. These adults work at least six days a week, eat at the factory-run dining hall and sleep on bunk beds with dorm mates. They only see their spouses and kids once a year, around the Chinese New Year when they return home for the holiday. With their humble wages they will never be able to afford a house in the city nor realize a costly education for their kids because, being migrant workers, they are non-residents. Therefore, year after year, they never dream of settling down. They work hard and spend little during the year; they bring savings home in the winter to support their family's life in the rural areas.

Many Western friends asked me: "How do these migrant workers manage to keep their marriage and family intact?" I don't know how to answer that. I guess when one struggles to fill the stomach, other needs are pushed back. Migrant workers' lifestyle seems so against human nature. And to me, it's simply not right.

The awareness of life values has awakened in China along with the rising gross domestic product and living standards. The young generation in rural and inland areas would rather stay home; and more local manufacturing is starting in those regions. Those who leave town do so to change the path of their lives. They want to stay and blend in to city life.

Hence the human resources challenge currently facing China. On the one hand, millions of college graduates can't find jobs; on the other hand, factories have a hard time finding laborers.