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China to end one-child policy | China to end one-child policy |
(35 minutes later) | |
China has decided to end its decades-long one-child policy, Xinhua news agency reports. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
China's one-child policy | |
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 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. | The party is also set to announce growth targets and its next five year plan. |
Are you in China? Are you affected by this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please include contact details. | Are you in China? Are you affected by this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please include contact details. |
Or comment here: | Or comment here: |