China to end one-child policy - BBC News

[takashi]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34665539

China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy, Xinhua news agency reports.

All couples will now be allowed to have two children, the state-run news agency said, citing a statement from the Communist Party.

The controversial policy was introduced nationally in 1979, to reduce the country's birth rate and slow the population growth rate.

However, concerns at China's ageing population led to pressure for change.

The one-child policy is estimated to have prevented about 400m births since it began.

Couples who violated the policy faced a variety of punishments, from fines and the loss of employment to forced abortions.

Over time, the policy was relaxed in some provinces, as demographers and sociologists raised concerns about rising social costs and falling worker numbers.

The Communist Party began formally relaxing national rules two years ago, allowing couples in which at least one of the pair is an only
child to have a second child.

• Introduced in 1979, the policy meant that many Chinese citizens - around a third, China claimed in 2007 - could not have a second child without incurring a fine
• In rural areas, families were allowed to have two children if the first was a girl
• Other exceptions included ethnic minorities and - since 2013 - couples where at least one was a single child
• Campaigners say the policy led to forced abortions, female infanticide, and the under-reporting of female births
• It was also implicated as a cause of China's gender imbalance

Currently about 30% of China's population is over the age of 50.

Correspondents say that despite the relaxation of the rules, many couples may still opt to only have one child, as one-child families have become the social norm.

The announcement comes on the final day of a summit of the Chinese Communist Party's policy-making Central Committee, known as the fifth plenum.

The party is also set to announce growth targets and its next five year plan.

 

[xebay11]

Yes Chinese will rule the world.

 

[syed putra]

Chinese all over the world will will take heed if this and start reproducing again. And if OnE women not enough, they will get another and soon, it will be like the good old days. Multiple wives and tens of children.

 

[Agoraphobic]

Hope this change of policy will reduce female infanticide which was common during the "one-child" policy. Was a terrible practice.

Cheers!

 

[laksaboy]

Hope this change of policy will reduce female infanticide which was common during the "one-child" policy. Was a terrible practice.

More PRC CB exports for the rest of the world to enjoy.

 

[eatshitndie]

there's a 30-year gap where due to preference for males and voluntary and involuntary abortions on females, a pool of 20 million bachelors or more exist without any prospect of getting or affording a female partner. they can engage prostitutes, but chickens are flying away in droves to get more buck for the bang overseas. a sizable portion of these men will need to find sextifaction with one another for companionship and coital comfort.

 

[frenchbriefs]

there's a 30-year gap where due to preference for males and voluntary and involuntary abortions on females, a pool of 20 million bachelors or more exist without any prospect of getting or affording a female partner. they can engage prostitutes, but chickens are flying away in droves to get more buck for the bang overseas. a sizable portion of these men will need to find sextifaction with one another for companionship and coital comfort.

need another world war to reduce male population.each world war is estimated to remove about 60 million people,about 3 percent of the world population but im sure we can do better this time.

 

[eatshitndie]

need another world war to reduce male population.each world war is estimated to remove about 60 million people,about 3 percent of the world population but im sure we can do better this time.

a reason why they are itching for a fight in the south china sea.