Beijing, Nov 20 (IANS): The biggest challenge facing Chinese cities is the huge influx of people from rural areas, a top urban management expert has said.

"It's a challenge for almost every country, but it's a big one for countries like China and India," said Alain Le Saux of the World Association of Major Metropolises.

It is difficult for governments to allocate sufficient funds for new settlements in a global financial crisis, he said at a two-day conference on urban management in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

Chinese cities use the Hukou registration system to distribute their public resources, China Daily Tuesday quoted Guangzhou Mayor Chen Jianhua as saying at the seminar Friday.

The mayor said most public services in his city are reserved for hukou holders, but he promised education, healthcare, water and transportation to the rural migrants also.

The Hukou system officially identifies a person as a resident of an area and includes identifying information such as name, parents, spouse, and date of birth.

The UN predicts urbanites will account for 60 percent of the world's population by 2030.

The World Association of Major Metropolises is an international association of world cities working towards developing solutions to issues affecting large cities.