Abortions changing social makeup - population control in China - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, Jan 29, 1999 by Tom Fox

Eleven million live in Beijing. China has many cities larger than Chicago with names unrecognizable to most foreigners. Beijing has a boxlike look to it. On street after street, one finds 15- to 20-story block-like apartment buildings. Most look alike, square and made of brick.

Driving on a Beijing street can be a chilling experience. As our bus moved through traffic, we were inches from the edge of a steady stream of bicycles that moved along the outer lanes. At intersections, bike riders would turn in front of cars and trucks in seeming defiance, seeming to stake their lives on their dares. Occasionally, we saw accidents along the roads.

Development is taking its toll.