China ends one-child policy — but critics warn new two-child policy won’t end forced abortions
Agence France-Presse
29 Oct 2015 at 08:52 ET
China relaxed its one-child policy in 2013 but the restriction still applied to couples with at least one sibling (AFP)
Don't miss stories. Follow Raw Story!
China announced the end of its hugely controversial one-child policy on Thursday, after decades of strict, sometimes brutal enforcement left it with an ageing population and shrinking workforce, heightening the challenges of slowing growth.
All couples will be allowed two children, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a communique issued by the ruling Communist Party following a four-day meeting in Beijing.
The historic change was “intended to balance population development and address the challenge of an ageing population”, Xinhua said.
Campaigners welcomed the move, but stressed that a “two-child policy” still meant that China would retain population control mechanisms — while demographic changes will take decades to have an effect, and previous loosenings led to fewer extra births than expected.
The policy, instituted in the late 1970s, restricted most couples to only a single offspring and for years authorities argued that it was a key contributor to China’s economic boom.
It was enforced by a dedicated national commission with a system of fines for violators and often forced abortions, leading to heartrending tales of loss for would-be parents.
But China’s population — the world’s largest at 1.37 billion — is now ageing rapidly, gender imbalances are severe, and its workforce is shrinking.
The concerns led to limited reforms in 2013, including allowing a second child for some couples in urban areas, but relatively few have taken up the opportunity.
Human rights organisations welcomed the change to the deeply unpopular policy, but expressed reservations about remaining controls.
It was “good news for the couples who wish to have a second child,” Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch told AFP, but “the restrictions on reproduction rights remain in China”.
“As long as the quotas and system of surveillance remains, women still do not enjoy reproductive rights,” she said, adding that change in policy was for “primarily economic reasons”.
Amnesty International’s William Nee said on Twitter: “‘Two Child Policy’ won’t end forced sterilisations, forced abortions, gov control over birth permits.”
– Intense pressures –
The Communist leadership met in Beijing to discuss ways to put the country’s stuttering economy back on a smooth growth path as it struggles with structural inefficiencies and social policies left over from an era before it embraced market reforms.
Known as the fifth plenum, the conclave discussed the next Five-Year Plan for China — the 13th since the People’s Republic was founded in 1949.
Over four days of meetings the 205 members of the Central Committee, plus around 170 alternates, examined the specifics of the plan, which was largely worked out through a process of national consultations before the leaders even set foot in the capital.
The country’s rubber-stamp legislature will officially approve the resulting document next year.
China has enjoyed a decades-long boom since the ruling party embraced market economics and opened up to the rest of the world from the late 1970s.
The process has transformed the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people and propelled the country to global prominence.
The meeting reiterated the Communist Party’s goal to double 2010 GDP by 2020, as part of its aim to achieve a “moderately prosperous society” by the 100th anniversary of its founding.
But growth has been slowing for several years, and analysts say it needs to embrace further liberalisation to avoid falling into the stagnation of the “middle income trap”, when developing countries fail to fulfil their full potential.
Yong Cai, a sociology professor at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and expert on the one-child policy, said the change announced Thursday was “at least 10 years later than it should be”.
?But better than never,? he added.
Chinese social media met the announcement with a collective shrug.
As the country has grown wealthier, couples have increasingly delayed having even one child as they devote more time to other goals, such as building their careers.
A second child, many commenters noted, would only add to the already intense social and financial pressures attached to reproduction.
“I will have four parents to take care of, along with two children,” one commenter noted. “This is too great a responsibility”.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/china-ends-one-child-policy-but-critics-warn-new-two-child-policy-wont-end-forced-abortions/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRawStory+%28The+Raw+Story%29
Agence France-Presse
29 Oct 2015 at 08:52 ET
China relaxed its one-child policy in 2013 but the restriction still applied to couples with at least one sibling (AFP)
Don't miss stories. Follow Raw Story!
China announced the end of its hugely controversial one-child policy on Thursday, after decades of strict, sometimes brutal enforcement left it with an ageing population and shrinking workforce, heightening the challenges of slowing growth.
All couples will be allowed two children, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a communique issued by the ruling Communist Party following a four-day meeting in Beijing.
The historic change was “intended to balance population development and address the challenge of an ageing population”, Xinhua said.
Campaigners welcomed the move, but stressed that a “two-child policy” still meant that China would retain population control mechanisms — while demographic changes will take decades to have an effect, and previous loosenings led to fewer extra births than expected.
The policy, instituted in the late 1970s, restricted most couples to only a single offspring and for years authorities argued that it was a key contributor to China’s economic boom.
It was enforced by a dedicated national commission with a system of fines for violators and often forced abortions, leading to heartrending tales of loss for would-be parents.
But China’s population — the world’s largest at 1.37 billion — is now ageing rapidly, gender imbalances are severe, and its workforce is shrinking.
The concerns led to limited reforms in 2013, including allowing a second child for some couples in urban areas, but relatively few have taken up the opportunity.
Human rights organisations welcomed the change to the deeply unpopular policy, but expressed reservations about remaining controls.
It was “good news for the couples who wish to have a second child,” Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch told AFP, but “the restrictions on reproduction rights remain in China”.
“As long as the quotas and system of surveillance remains, women still do not enjoy reproductive rights,” she said, adding that change in policy was for “primarily economic reasons”.
Amnesty International’s William Nee said on Twitter: “‘Two Child Policy’ won’t end forced sterilisations, forced abortions, gov control over birth permits.”
– Intense pressures –
The Communist leadership met in Beijing to discuss ways to put the country’s stuttering economy back on a smooth growth path as it struggles with structural inefficiencies and social policies left over from an era before it embraced market reforms.
Known as the fifth plenum, the conclave discussed the next Five-Year Plan for China — the 13th since the People’s Republic was founded in 1949.
Over four days of meetings the 205 members of the Central Committee, plus around 170 alternates, examined the specifics of the plan, which was largely worked out through a process of national consultations before the leaders even set foot in the capital.
The country’s rubber-stamp legislature will officially approve the resulting document next year.
China has enjoyed a decades-long boom since the ruling party embraced market economics and opened up to the rest of the world from the late 1970s.
The process has transformed the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people and propelled the country to global prominence.
The meeting reiterated the Communist Party’s goal to double 2010 GDP by 2020, as part of its aim to achieve a “moderately prosperous society” by the 100th anniversary of its founding.
But growth has been slowing for several years, and analysts say it needs to embrace further liberalisation to avoid falling into the stagnation of the “middle income trap”, when developing countries fail to fulfil their full potential.
Yong Cai, a sociology professor at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and expert on the one-child policy, said the change announced Thursday was “at least 10 years later than it should be”.
?But better than never,? he added.
Chinese social media met the announcement with a collective shrug.
As the country has grown wealthier, couples have increasingly delayed having even one child as they devote more time to other goals, such as building their careers.
A second child, many commenters noted, would only add to the already intense social and financial pressures attached to reproduction.
“I will have four parents to take care of, along with two children,” one commenter noted. “This is too great a responsibility”.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/china-ends-one-child-policy-but-critics-warn-new-two-child-policy-wont-end-forced-abortions/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRawStory+%28The+Raw+Story%29
Yesterday at 7:47 pm by Bama Diva
» PM stresses Iraq's aspiration to strengthen cooperation and partnership with the US within the Strat
Yesterday at 7:42 pm by Bama Diva
» US dollar exchange rate increases in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:30 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq reviews cooperation with Honeywell in energy sector
Yesterday at 7:25 pm by Bama Diva
» Environment: US withdrawal from Paris climate agreement threatens Iraq
Yesterday at 7:21 pm by Bama Diva
» Users having a birthday today : dcbelanger
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 7:36 pm by Bama Diva
» Central Bank: Closing the electronic platform enhances financial stability
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 6:34 pm by Bama Diva
» UGT donates feasibility study to Iraq on bringing solar energy to homes
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 6:20 pm by Bama Diva
» "Oil Money Is Not Enough" Parliament's Finance
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 6:17 pm by Bama Diva
» "Oil Money Is Not Enough" Parliament's Finance
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 6:15 pm by Bama Diva
» Clarification of the importance of the Central Bank’s decision to ban the sale of real estate above
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:53 pm by Bama Diva
» Signing a memorandum of understanding with British Petroleum / BP regarding a program to evaluate th
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:47 pm by Bama Diva
» Al-Sudani receives in London the CEO of GE for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:42 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq, General Electric discuss energy initiatives
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:36 pm by Bama Diva
» Shell plans to increase investments in Iraq
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:16 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq’s economic growth forecast for 2024: A promising path forward
Thu 16 Jan 2025, 5:13 pm by Bama Diva
» Parliamentary Finance: Banking reform enhances Iraq's global
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 3:28 pm by Bama Diva
» Localization.. Signs of positive development to support the national economy
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 3:14 pm by Bama Diva
» Experts call for activating the agriculture and industry sectors
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 3:03 pm by Bama Diva
» The Central Bank of Iraq directs banks to spread and expand their financial services
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 2:36 pm by Bama Diva
» Al-Sudani: British exports to Iraq exceeded $1 billion in 2024, and its companies concluded contrac
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 2:31 pm by Bama Diva
» Above $80.. New rise in oil prices
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 2:26 pm by Bama Diva
» Coordination Framework announces agreement to move forward with budget amendments to achieve "social
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 2:18 pm by Bama Diva
» I regret to inform you after 20 yrs of postings
Mon 13 Jan 2025, 2:23 am by KUANYIN
» Central Bank of Iraq sells over $1.16 billion in foreign currency
Sun 12 Jan 2025, 5:52 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq-China trade cooperation reaches $50 billion in 11 months
Sun 12 Jan 2025, 5:45 pm by Bama Diva
» Salih: Iraq ranks first in the world in the concentration of natural resources
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:51 am by Bama Diva
» PM Advisor: The monetary enhancement mechanism will safeguard financial stability in the country
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:45 am by Bama Diva
» Government Adviser: Non-Oil GDP Growth in 2024 Reaches Unprecedented Levels
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:42 am by Bama Diva
» Parliament conforms to World Bank on the importance of government infrastructure in development
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:37 am by Bama Diva
» PM: Restructuring government banks to ensure the availability of capabilities and openness with glob
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:33 am by Bama Diva
» entral Bank: There is no financial problem threatening employees’ salaries and we have great capabil
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:25 am by Bama Diva
» Basra crude achieves weekly gains amid rising oil markets
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:10 am by Bama Diva
» The dollar falls against the dinar in Baghdad and Erbil with the closing at the beginning of the wee
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 10:06 am by Bama Diva
» PM Al-Sudani eyes tourism as a cornerstone of Iraq’s non-oil economy
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 9:57 am by Bama Diva
» PMF Chief: Iraq's armed forces at their strongest
Sat 11 Jan 2025, 9:43 am by Bama Diva
» INA discusses exchange rates files, foreign transfers, and housing initiatives with the CBI governor
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 6:29 pm by Bama Diva
» Government Adviser: Non-Oil GDP Growth in 2024 Reaches Unprecedented Levels
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 6:25 pm by Bama Diva
» Parliament conforms to World Bank on the importance of government infrastructure in development
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 6:20 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq exports oil worth over $5 billion to US in 11 months
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 5:30 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq’s Ministry of Oil announces 2024 petroleum product sales
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 5:25 pm by Bama Diva
» US dollar exchange rate continues to decline in Iraq
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 5:20 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq completes 400-kilometer security border wall with Syria
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 5:15 pm by Bama Diva
» Iraq collaborates with Ernst & Young on state-owned bank reforms
Fri 10 Jan 2025, 5:07 pm by Bama Diva
» Kurdistan records a significant increase in the number of imported cars during 2024
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 4:01 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Justice announces the implementation of the electronic payment system in all notary
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:59 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Justice counts the achievements and activities achieved during the past year accordi
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:58 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: We have started working with the correspondent banking system
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:55 am by Rocky
» Is the Ministry of Finance hiding the facts?.. An expert reveals the main reason for the shortage of
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:53 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: 2025 plan includes 70 external road projects
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:49 am by Rocky
» Economist: The government is obligated to pay salaries as it is a matter of fate
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:47 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq opens new horizons in foreign transfers and enhances international financia
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:45 am by Rocky
» Judge Zidane and Al-Sudani are the first to disclose their financial assets in 2025
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:42 am by Rocky
» Oil Price: Trump's Team Considers 'Direct Sanctions' on Iraq That Will Hit Oil
Thu 02 Jan 2025, 3:40 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Integrity: The amounts recovered from the “theft of the century” do not exceed 5%, and
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:04 pm by Bama Diva
» Dinars entering the Ministry of Finance are 20% less than the amount it needs.. Iraqis start their n
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 2:50 pm by Bama Diva
» Mazhar Saleh: No salary crisis and financial reserves cover liquidity completely
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 4:04 am by Rocky
» Central Bank announces major achievement in foreign transfers
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 4:02 am by Rocky
» Confirmation that America is putting pressure on Al-Sudani to transform the Iraqi regime into "secul
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:59 am by Rocky
» Warnings of the dangers of the Turkish-Zionist-American plan to destabilize Iraq
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:57 am by Rocky
» Expert: Iraqi economy is stable despite changes in the dollar market
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:56 am by Rocky
» Economist praises ASYCUDA automation system: A step towards achieving important resources
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:55 am by Rocky
» More than $60 billion in Iraqi currency auction sales in 2024
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:53 am by Rocky
» Is there a salary crisis in Iraq? Al-Sudani’s advisor explains
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:50 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank decides to suspend withdrawals and deposits for four days
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Office announces the implementation of the global ASYCUDA system to automate customs opera
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:42 am by Rocky
» The leaders “reconciled” and the amendment of the electoral law is “a done deal”.. What does this da
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:41 am by Rocky
» With the document .. MP Sand files a complaint against the Ministry of Finance .. for this reason
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:39 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: The government is working to enhance non-oil revenues
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:37 am by Rocky
» The 10 most indebted Arab countries in 2024.. This is Iraq's rank
Wed 01 Jan 2025, 3:35 am by Rocky
» utube 12/27/24 MM&C MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Iraqs Wealth Fund-National Currency-Arab World Volume Tra
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:42 am by Rocky
» utube 12/28/24 Iraq - CBI Governor Makes an Announcement, Digital Banking Expansion
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:41 am by Rocky
» utube 12/29/24 MM&C MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Digital Transformation-Global Economic Power-USA-Imminent
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:40 am by Rocky
» utube 12/31/24 MM&C MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Commemorative Coin?-Investment Attractive-Dollar Auction
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs expanded meeting to review Oil Ministry projects
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:35 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister stresses importance of investing best opportunities to maximize state revenues
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:27 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Office announces implementation of ASYCUDA global system for automating customs ope
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:24 am by Rocky
» Judiciary: Recovering 12 billion dinars for financial fraud crime
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:20 am by Rocky
» US-Iranian Tension: Iraq Between Competition and Mediation Role After Trump’s Return
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:14 am by Rocky
» MP confirms settlement of controversy over ministerial amendments
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:07 am by Rocky
» National Union: Time is no longer sufficient for the dialogue on the oil and gas law to mature
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:05 am by Rocky
» Economist: Relying on oil as a source of revenue will have serious consequences
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki: Repeated amendments to the election law weaken voter confidence in the political process
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 7:01 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Legal: Interrogating ministers and officials is still subject to political agreements
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:58 am by Rocky
» Due to the American veto, Iraq suffers from a weak armament in the face of regional developments
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:52 am by Rocky
» What is holding up the passage of the oil and gas law so far?
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:49 am by Rocky
» New Cabinet Resolutions Package
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:45 am by Rocky
» Experts speak to {Sabah} about the most important economic events in 2024
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of review and investing the best opportunities to maximize state r
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 6:30 am by Rocky
» With more than 30 billion dollars... a leap in the projects market in Iraq
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:15 am by Rocky
» Central Bank of Iraq sells about $290 million in currency auction
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:12 am by Rocky
» Customs: Our revenues increased by 128% during the current year
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Our Economic and Financial Vision for 2025 in Iraq
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» How much of Iraq's electrical system has been lost due to the halt of Iranian gas?
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» $31.7 billion is the increase in the value of its market projects in Iraq
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Turkmen gas will cover 50% of Iraq's stations' needs.. New details about the agreement
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky
» Basra-Haditha oil pipeline.. will go to 5 countries and this is its value
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 4:55 am by Rocky
» Early talk about postponing the elections is “evidence” of Iraq’s entry into the map of change in th
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 4:52 am by Rocky
» New details on the incident of the "death of a US National Guard soldier" in Iraq - Urgent
Tue 31 Dec 2024, 4:48 am by Rocky