{"id":15532,"date":"2025-02-07T15:13:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T15:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/?p=15532"},"modified":"2025-02-26T09:50:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T09:50:26","slug":"china-upgrading-population-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2025\/02\/china-upgrading-population-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"China: Upgrading population quality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull curved-bottom\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#7f7f81\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-15539\" alt=\"China flag\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/biyunfei-yang-ZI1H5ri8ttY-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-title\">China: Upgrading population quality<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-02-07T15:13:37+00:00\">7 February 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"lead\">Our new series returns to our <em>Welcome to Gilead<\/em> campaign, exploring global restrictions on women&#8217;s reproductive rights. In this instalment, we revisit the chapter on China&#8217;s demography from our 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/resources\/welcome-to-gilead-report\/\">Welcome to Gilead report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The birth of a baby is not only a matter of the family itself, but also a state affair.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/08\/11\/world\/asia\/china-one-child-policy-birthrate.html?action=click&amp;mod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">People\u2019s Daily<\/a>, China\u2019s official newspaper<\/strong><br><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Changing tact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>China is infamous for using its authoritarian power to enforce the one-child policy, which may have contributed to economic growth but unquestionably violated the fundamental human rights of hundreds of millions of people. China is no longer, however, the poster child of population \u2018control\u2019. Today, it is starting to reverse the goals of its coercion with an aim to boost its birth rate. Given the government\u2019s past interference in reproductive rights, the danger to women now is being forced to have more, not fewer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/asia_pacific\/china-three-child-policy-demographic\/2021\/05\/31\/95a086e2-c1e8-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html\">children than they would like<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1688\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec.png\" alt=\"Most populous countries 2024\" class=\"wp-image-13954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec.png 1688w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec-1024x728.png 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MOST-POPULOUS-COUNTRIES-rec-1536x1092.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>China has been fixating on its low birth rate and sluggish population growth rate, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/2021\/05\/31\/china-child-policy-three-two-baby-boom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">slower in 2020 than it had been since 1953<\/a>. In particular, the government worries about sustaining its economic growth with a declining, ageing population. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/01\/world\/asia\/china-vasectomies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One recent government study<\/a> warned that its labour force could shrink by 200 million people from 2020 to 2050, and concerns about funding the pension system are deepening. In response, President Xi Jinping has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/07\/01\/beijing-could-easily-encourage-people-have-more-children-wont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emphasised family values<\/a>, highlighted the reproductive role of women, and warned of instability if birth rates stay low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cUpgrading population quality\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like most of the countries featured in this report, China\u2019s concern is not with mere numbers, and this is where the economic and ethno-nationalist motivations for pronatalism come together. The government\u2019s recent five-year plan sets an ominous goal of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/politico-china-watcher\/2021\/04\/29\/feminists-in-china-thwarting-governments-population-planning-objectives-492643\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cupgrading population quality\u201d<\/a>, and the evidence shows this effectively means higher fertility rates among the Han majority (particularly those who are educated and wealthy) and lower birth rates among minorities like the Uyghurs, who the government scorns as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/07\/01\/beijing-could-easily-encourage-people-have-more-children-wont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cbaby-making machines\u201d<\/a> and subjects to forced abortions, sterilisations and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/politico-china-watcher\/2021\/04\/29\/feminists-in-china-thwarting-governments-population-planning-objectives-492643\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> long-term contraceptives<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent population policy harkens back to China\u2019s not-so-distant past, when a 1993 law initially called \u201cOn Eugenics and Health Protection\u201d intended to improve population \u201cquality\u201d by limiting births among those with disabilities and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/07\/01\/beijing-could-easily-encourage-people-have-more-children-wont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other health problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Shanghai, China\" class=\"wp-image-15540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/javier-quiroga-FeBqmwrm1YI-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The government has demonstrated its intention to raise birth rates through positive means such as shifting the one-child policy to a two-child and then three-child policy, and talks about making education and housing more affordable. However, relaxation of restrictions has had <a href=\"https:\/\/data.worldbank.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">no significant effect so far<\/a>, and leaders are already eyeing more coercive policies. Premier Li Keqiang stated vaguely that the government is pursuing \u201cappropriate\u201d fertility rates, and the Politburo announced that it would \u201cstrengthen the education and guidance\u201d of newly married couples and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/asia_pacific\/china-three-child-policy-demographic\/2021\/05\/31\/95a086e2-c1e8-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201ccontrol bad social customs\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pronatalist policies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Minzner\u2019s predictions are already coming true. In September 2021, China\u2019s cabinet released its ten-year plan for women\u2019s health. The guidelines include the cryptic goal of reducing elective abortions, and Chinese women fear that \u2013 in light of the government\u2019s obsession with population growth \u2013 this will mean <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/09\/27\/world\/asia\/china-abortion-limits.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new abortion restrictions<\/a>. Some provinces, like Jiangxi, have already introduced stricter abortion measures, such as requiring several doctors\u2019 signatures after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/01\/world\/asia\/china-vasectomies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fourteen weeks of pregnancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pronatalist policies have hurt Chinese men, too. Doctors often require men to supply a \u2018family planning certificate\u2019, which states marital and parental status, before performing voluntary vasectomies, and turn down requests from men who don\u2019t already have children. One man, who was single and childfree, was turned down by six different hospitals after being told that by seeking a vasectomy he was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/01\/world\/asia\/china-vasectomies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">opposing China\u2019s birth policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shame and ridicule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Chinese government has also used its propaganda expertise to shame single women (particularly those who are educated) for choosing careers over family. Since the demographic panic began, state media has ridiculed them as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/politico-china-watcher\/2021\/04\/29\/feminists-in-china-thwarting-governments-population-planning-objectives-492643\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cleftover women\u201d<\/a> and encouraged them to marry and have children for the sake of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"China on a globe\" class=\"wp-image-15517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/christian-lue-2Juj2cXWB7U-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hong Fincher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/politico-china-watcher\/2021\/04\/29\/feminists-in-china-thwarting-governments-population-planning-objectives-492643\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explains that<\/a> \u201cThe Chinese government aggressively perpetuates traditional gender norms and reduces women to their roles as dutiful wives, mothers and baby breeders in the home, to minimize social unrest and give birth to future generations of skilled workers\u2026 policymakers continue to view women primarily as reproductive tools to realize the nation\u2019s development goals\u201d. China\u2019s state paper told readers that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/08\/11\/world\/asia\/china-one-child-policy-birthrate.html?action=click&amp;mod\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cthe birth of a baby is not only a matter of the family itself, but also a state affair\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most disturbing outcomes of China\u2019s emphasis on producing more children is a flourishing industry that traffics vulnerable Kachin women from neighbouring Myanmar to serve as brides for single Chinese men. These men want a handmaid, not a wife. Once they give birth, many of these women are allowed to return home, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/report\/2019\/03\/21\/give-us-baby-and-well-let-you-go\/trafficking-kachin-brides-myanmar-china\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">without their babies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Observers blame the one-child policy for leading to a surplus of single men. Today, however, the Chinese government has different priorities: one Chinese official even told a group of women\u2019s rights activists from Myanmar that the government provides culture classes at the border to help the trafficked women <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/report\/2019\/03\/21\/give-us-baby-and-well-let-you-go\/trafficking-kachin-brides-myanmar-china\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">become good Chinese wives<\/a>.57<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>_________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article was part of Population Matters 2021 report, <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/resources\/welcome-to-gilead-report\/\">Welcome to Gilead<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-share\"><a class=\"fb-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2025%2F02%2Fchina-upgrading-population-quality%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg 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27.614-3.573-48.081-9.747-84.143-51.98-84.143-102.985v-1.299c13.969 7.797 30.214 12.67 47.431 13.319-28.264-18.843-46.781-51.005-46.781-87.391 0-19.492 5.197-37.36 14.294-52.954 51.655 63.675 129.3 105.258 216.365 109.807-1.624-7.797-2.599-15.918-2.599-24.04 0-57.828 46.782-104.934 104.934-104.934 30.213 0 57.502 12.67 76.67 33.137 23.715-4.548 46.456-13.32 66.599-25.34-7.798 24.366-24.366 44.833-46.132 57.827 21.117-2.273 41.584-8.122 60.426-16.243-14.292 20.791-32.161 39.308-52.628 54.253z\"><\/path><\/svg> Tweet<\/div><\/a><a class=\"li-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2025%2F02%2Fchina-upgrading-population-quality%2F&amp;text=China%3A%20Upgrading%20population%20quality\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg> Post<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-grid grid grid-3\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/resources\/welcome-to-gilead-report\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Welcome to Gilead Report<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-768x240.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-768x240.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-300x94.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-1024x320.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-1536x480.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Gilead-logo-banner_0-2048x640.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Fully referenced 2021 report examining how pronatal policies are threatening reproductive rights across the world.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2025\/01\/what-a-second-trump-term-means-for-reproductive-rights\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>What a Second Trump Term Means for Reproductive Rights<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-768x512.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-15420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jon-tyson-FgewqOVtwbY-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Today, Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th US President, ushering in renewed threats to reproductive rights. As part of Population Matters\u2019 Welcome to Gilead campaign, Madeleine Hewitt interviews Olivia&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/gilead-watch-protect-womens-rights-from-pronatal-politicians\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Gilead Watch: Protect women&#8217;s rights from pronatal politicians<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Gilead-Watch-logo_no-text.png\" class=\"wp-image-525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Gilead-Watch-logo_no-text.png 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Gilead-Watch-logo_no-text-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Politicians and others across the world want to limit people&#8217;s rights in order to boost the birth rate. Our campaign shines a light on the threat.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We&#8217;re launching a new series revisiting our Welcome to Gilead campaign, exploring global restrictions on women&#8217;s reproductive rights. In this instalment, we revisit the chapter on the China from our 2021 Welcome to Gilead report. ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":15539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-15532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-womens-rights"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>China: Upgrading population quality - Population Matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"China: upgrading population quality examines the situation in China in 2021, with women&#039;s reproductive rights being severely restricted.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2025\/02\/china-upgrading-population-quality\/\" \/>\n<meta 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