China changes one-child policy, 2 children allowed

Asian Political News, Sept 3, 2001

TOKYO, Aug. 30 Kyodo

The Chinese government has reviewed the one-child policy after 21 years and has introduced a new policy approving couples, both of whom are the only child under the one-child policy, to have two children, a Chinese official said Thursday.

Cai Fang, director of the Institute of Population under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Kyodo News of the new policy during an interview in Tokyo.

As an exception to the one-child policy which started in China in 1980, couples in agricultural villages with strong tendencies of wanting to have a boy in order to secure labor power, were allowed to have a second child if their first child was a girl.

People belonging to an ethnic minority were also allowed to have two or more children under the one-child policy.

With the introduction of the new policy, couples living in densely populated areas such as Beijing and Shanghai will now be able to have two children.

In reference to the Chinese government's target of a population not greater than 1.6 billion in 2040, Cai said, ''the target takes into consideration the new policy review,'' indicating that the eased policy will not cause the population to suddenly rise.

Cai also explained that ''there are few couples, under the current situation,'' who are having a second child under the new policy as the oldest children born under the one-child policy are 21 years old.

Cai suggested that there is a stronger tendency of declining birthrates, especially in the metropolitan areas, in line with economic development saying, ''I don't think every couple will want to have two children.''