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-china-34667551

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Explainer: What was China's one-child policy? Explainer: What was China's one-child policy?
(34 minutes later)
China has decided to end its longstanding one-child policy and allow all couples to have two children.China has decided to end its longstanding one-child policy and allow all couples to have two children.
What was it?What was it?
A decades-old government policy in China that limited most families to only one child, though exceptions were made. The one-child policy is estimated by the Chinese government to have prevented about 400m births since it began but this number is contested. A decades-old government policy in China that limited many families to only one child, though exceptions were made. The one-child policy is estimated by the Chinese government to have prevented about 400m births since it began but this number is contested.
By 2007, China claimed that only 36% of its citizens were limited to one child due to various changes to the policy over time.
Why was it introduced?Why was it introduced?
As China's population approached one billion in the late 1970s, the government became concerned about what effect this would have on its ambitious plans for economic growth.As China's population approached one billion in the late 1970s, the government became concerned about what effect this would have on its ambitious plans for economic growth.
Although other family planning programs had already been implemented, helping to reduce the birth rate, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping decided stronger action was needed. The policy was introduced in 1979.Although other family planning programs had already been implemented, helping to reduce the birth rate, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping decided stronger action was needed. The policy was introduced in 1979.
How was it enforced?How was it enforced?
The government generally enforced it by providing financial and employment incentives to those who complied, making contraceptives widely available and fining those who violated the rules.The government generally enforced it by providing financial and employment incentives to those who complied, making contraceptives widely available and fining those who violated the rules.
More coercive measures such as forced abortions and mass sterilisations were also used at times.More coercive measures such as forced abortions and mass sterilisations were also used at times.
The policy was more strictly implemented in urban areas.The policy was more strictly implemented in urban areas.
Why was it so controversial?Why was it so controversial?
Campaigners in China and in the West argued the policy was a gross violation of human rights and reproductive freedoms.Campaigners in China and in the West argued the policy was a gross violation of human rights and reproductive freedoms.
The traditional preference for male children together with the one-child policy led to large numbers of girls being abandoned, placed in orphanages, sex-selective abortions or even cases of female infanticide.The traditional preference for male children together with the one-child policy led to large numbers of girls being abandoned, placed in orphanages, sex-selective abortions or even cases of female infanticide.
China's gender balance is skewed towards males as a result of the policy. China's gender balance is skewed towards males as a result of this.
Why is it now being abandoned?Why is it now being abandoned?
Experts warn that China will be the first economy to grow old before it gets rich largely due to the one-child policy. By 2050, more than a quarter of the population will be over 65.Experts warn that China will be the first economy to grow old before it gets rich largely due to the one-child policy. By 2050, more than a quarter of the population will be over 65.
The country's fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world and well below the rate of 2.1 children per woman required to replace the population across generations.The country's fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world and well below the rate of 2.1 children per woman required to replace the population across generations.
China's ageing population will slow down the economy as the pool of young workers decreases and the ratio between taxpayers and pensioners continues to drop.China's ageing population will slow down the economy as the pool of young workers decreases and the ratio between taxpayers and pensioners continues to drop.
Hadn't the Chinese authorities already started relaxing it? How had the rules previously been relaxed?
In 2013, the rules were changed to allow couples to have a second child if one parent is an only child but fewer couples than the government had expected began doing so.In 2013, the rules were changed to allow couples to have a second child if one parent is an only child but fewer couples than the government had expected began doing so.
A previous relaxation of the rules in the 1980s allowed rural families to have another child if their first child was a girl. Ethnic minorities in China were not subject to the one-child policy.A previous relaxation of the rules in the 1980s allowed rural families to have another child if their first child was a girl. Ethnic minorities in China were not subject to the one-child policy.