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Wall Street Journal Examines Possible 'Overhaul' of China's One-Child Policy
(Kaisernetwork) The Wall Street Journal on Monday examined how China is reconsidering its "controversial" one-child-per-family policy as a result of the social and economic impacts of the program. As a "first step" in reviewing the policy, the Chinese government earlier this year appointed a task force of more than 250 experts to study the impact of population trends on economic development. The one-child policy has drawn international criticism for its "sometimes-brutal implementation at local levels," including large fines for extra children and forced abortions and sterilizations, according to the Journal. Chinese officials have expressed concerns about the ramifications of the policy, including "troublesome demographic trends," such as an aging population and the disproportionate number of boys to girls in the country, the Journal reports (Hutzler/Chang, Wall Street Journal, 10/4). The Chinese government instituted the one-child policy in the 1970s to control its population growth, but it has allowed local governments to decide how to apply the regulation. The one-child policy has led to 300 million fewer births over the last 10 years, according to Chinese government authorities (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 8/5).
(c) 2004 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation
Source: Kaisernetwork
Publish Date: October 5, 2004
Online at: http://ifrl.org/IFRLDailyNews/041005/6
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