As a subject matter expert on China's family planning policies, I can provide a detailed account of the transition from the one-child policy to the current policy framework. The one-child policy was a significant demographic measure implemented by the Chinese government to control population growth. It was introduced in the late 1970s and had a profound impact on the country's social and economic development for several decades. The policy was not uniformly applied across the country; there were exceptions for certain ethnic minorities, rural families, and other specific circumstances. Over the years, the policy faced criticism for its coercive enforcement methods, which included forced sterilizations and abortions, as well as for its social consequences, such as a gender imbalance due to a cultural preference for male children. Recognizing the changing demographic landscape, including an aging population and a shrinking workforce, the Chinese government began to ease the policy. The first significant shift came in 2013 when the government announced that couples, where at least one partner was an only child, could apply to have a second child. This was a departure from the universal one-child rule and was a response to the emerging demographic challenges. The next major step was the official end of the one-child policy. January 1, 2016, marked a pivotal moment as China transitioned to a two-child policy. This change allowed all couples to have two children, without the need for special permission or circumstances. The implementation of the two-child policy was a significant shift in government policy and was aimed at addressing the long-term effects of the one-child policy on China's population structure. However, the transition to a two-child policy did not mean an immediate end to all family planning regulations. The government continued to issue birth permits, and while the sanctions for violating the policy were less severe, families still had to comply with the regulations. The move was a careful balance between allowing for increased family size and maintaining some level of control over population growth. Since the implementation of the two-child policy, there have been ongoing discussions and adjustments to family planning laws. The government has been monitoring the effects of the policy change on population growth, social services, and the economy. It's important to note that the policy changes are part of a broader set of reforms aimed at modernizing China's social and economic systems. In summary, the end of China's one-child policy is a complex topic that involves a historical context, an understanding of the policy's enforcement and its social implications, and the government's response to demographic changes. The transition to a two-child policy in 2016 was a significant step towards a more flexible family planning approach, reflecting the evolving needs of Chinese society. read more >>

China's one-child policy ends. The first day of 2016 marks the end of China's controversial, 40-year-old one-child policy. Although families will still require government-issued birth permits, or face the sanction of a forced abortion, couples in China can now request to have two children.Jan 1, 2016read more >>