The past black/white racial binary paradigm in South Africa and the present urban and rural binary system in China created/is creating the so-called "economic miracles". Yet, similar malpractice patterns are also observed in both economies. This article analyzes their differences and the similarities from the aspects of historical contexts and paradigm shifts. The further comparisons are made on phenomena such as the identity boundaries, the migrant labor system, the policies of ordered urbanization, the temporary residence permits, the dormitories, the seasonal migrant workers, the slums leveling, the land expropriation and housing demolition, the urban renewal projects and the urban administration. The findings show that both South Africa and China governments have similar goals as solving the issue of low human rights. However, they have different development processes and future directions due to their dissimilar conditions.