This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34665539
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
China to end one-child policy | China to end one-child policy |
(about 1 hour 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 | China's one-child policy |
What was China's one-child policy? | |
Currently about 30% of China's population is over the age of 50. | 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. | 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. |
Critics say that even a two-child policy will not boost the birth rate enough, the BBC's John Sudworth reports. | |
And for those women who want more than two children, nor will it end the state's insistence on the right to control their fertility, he adds. | |
"As long as the quotas and system of surveillance remains, women still do not enjoy reproductive rights," Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch told AFP. | |
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: |