Liu Jing, 14, plays with her cat at her parents' rented home in Shanghai while her parents are away at work. Photo: IC

The summer holiday, for most children, is an escape from the routine of school and family life. But for 14-year-old Liu Jing it was a rare opportunity to reunite with her parents.

Liu, from a village in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, came to live with her parents - who work in a Shanghai suburb as garbage recyclers - for two months of the summer vacation.

As millions of farmers find jobs in the cities, Liu, like many other children, was left to stay at their rural home with relatives. It's still difficult for non-local children to enroll in schools in China's big cities, and there are also high living costs. To save on expenses, migrant workers usually return to their hometowns just once a year for the Spring Festival. The summer vacation then sometimes becomes a chance for the children to come and see their parents.

Liu's parents live in Jiangjiawan, an "urban village" in Minhang district. Many local residents are being relocated to make way for a commercial development. Only a few recyclers like Liu's parents still live there due to the low rent costs.

Most of the time when she is in Shanghai, Liu stays at home with an adopted kitten, as her parents have to go out and work. Despite this, as well as the insect infestation in the area, Liu enjoyed the reunion. She also cooks, washes dishes and arranges the recyclable items for her parents.

As the summer vacation drew to an end, Liu had to pack up and leave Shanghai to go back to school in her hometown, and start waiting for another reunion.

Global Times

Liu idles away the day at her parents' home in Shanghai during her summer holiday. Photo: IC

The adopted cat is her only playmate during her days in Shanghai. Photo: IC

Liu does chores for her parents. Photo: IC

 

Liu's parents prepare to leave for work as they ask her to stay safe and not to talk to strangers. Photo: IC