White Paper on Population in China

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White Paper on Population in China

The Information Office of the State Council Tuesday = published a=20 white paper titled "China's Population and Development in the 21st = Century."=20 Following is the full text of the white paper:

Preface

I. Current Situation and Prospect

II. Targets and Principles

III. Plan of Action

IV. Guarantee Measures

Preface

1. The 21st century is approaching. With the rapid = development=20 of science and technology and the swift changes in the world economic = order and=20 patterns, population and development have become an increasingly = important=20 issue, which draws broad concern of the international community. It is = the=20 common choice of all countries to seek a way to achieve sustainable = development=20 with population, economy, society, resources and environment all in = harmony.

2. China is a developing country with the biggest = population in=20 the world. A sample survey shows that China's population had reached = 1.26=20 billion by the end of 1999 (excluding the population of the Hong Kong = and Macao=20 Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan Province), accounting for = about 21% of=20 the world total. In order to better understand the pattern and trend of = the=20 population change, further rein in population growth, improve population = quality, and properly formulate a population policy and social and = economic=20 development plan for the 21st century, the Chinese Government conducted = its=20 fifth national census in November 2000. The result will be published = once all=20 data are processed.

3. China has a huge population, but a weak economic = foundation=20 with relatively inadequate per-capita resources. These are its basic = national=20 conditions. Many contradictions and problems in China's economic and = social=20 development are closely associated with the issue of population, which = has=20 become the key factor and primary problem restricting China's economic = and=20 social development. Whether the population problem can be properly = solved has=20 direct bearing on the improvement of the population quality and the = living=20 standards of the Chinese people, as well as the prosperity of the = Chinese=20 nation. It also concerns the world peace and development.

4. In line with the strategic goal of the nation's=20 modernization drive and proceeding from national conditions, the Chinese = Government has formulated and implemented a population policy which = conforms to=20 China's reality and has greatly contributed to the stabilization of the = national=20 and the world population and to the promotion of human development and = progress.=20

The Chinese Government is willing to continue its = efforts=20 together with the international community to effectively solve the = problem of=20 population and development. The Chinese Government firmly believes that = China's=20 population and development cause will develop further in the 21st = century and=20 that China will make stillgreater contribution to the civilization and = progress=20 of mankind.

I. Current Situation and Prospect

5. Since the 1970s, especially since the initiation = of the=20 reform and opening-up drive, China has formulated a basic state policy = to=20 promote family planning in an all-round way so as to slow down = population growth=20 and improve population quality in terms of health and education. The = Government=20 encourages late marriage and late childbearing, and advocates the = practice of=20 "one couple, one child" and of "having a second child with proper = spacing in=20 accordance with the laws and regulations". Family planning is also = advocated=20 among the ethnic minorities. Various provinces, autonomous regions and=20 municipalities directly under the Central Government have formulated = their own=20 policies and regulations according to local conditions.

6. The Chinese Government pays great attention to the = issue of=20 population and development and has placed it on the agenda as an = important part=20 in the overall plan of China's national economic and social development. = The=20 Government consistently emphasizes that population growth should be = compatible=20 with socio-economic development and be in concert with resource = utilization and=20 environmental protection. Since the 1990s, the Central Government has = convened a=20 National Summit Meeting on the issue of population and development once = a year=20 for the sake of adopting important decisions and measures based upon = discussion=20 and analysis of the major problems. The Government organizes and = coordinates the=20 relevant departments and mass organizations to implement the population = and=20 family planning program, striving to integrate the family planning = program with=20 economic development, poverty eradication, protection of ecological = environment,=20 rational resource utilization, universal education, advancement of = public health=20 and social security, and improvement of women's status. This is aimed at = seeking=20 a thorough solution to the problem of population and development.

7. After nearly 30 years of efforts, China has found = a=20 successful way of dealing with the population issue in a comprehensive = manner, a=20 path suited to the country's unique conditions. A system of regulating = and=20 adjusting population growth with a proper management mechanism of the = family=20 planning program has gradually come into being. This is a system in = keeping with=20 the demands of the market economy. China's population and development = program=20 has achieved universally acknowledged success. The citizens' rights to=20 subsistence and development and their rights in the socio-economic and = cultural=20 fields have been notably improved.

--The excessive population growth has been brought = under=20 effective control. The birth rate and natural growth rate decreased from = 33.43=20 and 25.83 in 1970 to 15.23 and 8.77 in 1999 respectively. The total = fertility=20 rate of Chinese women went below the replacement level, making China one = of the=20 countries with a low fertility rate in the world. Though economically=20 underdeveloped, China has accomplished a historic transition in = population=20 reproduction pattern from one featuring high birth rate, low death rate = and high=20 growth rate to one featuring low birth rate, low death rate and low = growth rate=20 in a relatively short period of time, a change that took decades or even = up to a=20 hundred years for developed countries to realize in the past.

--China's national economy has developed at a fast = pace, with=20 the overall national strength increased notably and the people's living=20 standards greatly improved. Since the implementation of the family = planning=20 program, over 300 million births have been averted nationally, thus = saving a=20 great amount of payment for the upbringing of children for the society. = This has=20 alleviated the pressure of the excessive population growth on the = natural=20 resources and environment, thus contributing to the economic development = and the=20 improvement of the people's living standards.

With the gross national product (GNP) quadrupled over = that of=20 1980 ahead of schedule, the Chinese people now live a relatively = comfortable=20 life. By the end of 1999, the population under the poverty line in the = rural=20 areas had decreased from over 250 million in the late 1970s to 34 = million, down=20 from 33% to around 3% of the total rural population. The impoverished = people in=20 rural areas have basically achieved adequate feeding and clothing.

--Great achievements have been made in various social = undertakings such as education and public health. By the end of 2000, a=20 nine-year compulsory education will have been made universal by and = large, and=20 illiteracy among young and middle-aged people has been basically = eliminated. On=20 average, the number of college students for every 10,000 people = increased from=20 8.9 in 1978 to 32.8 in 1999. On the whole everybody has access to = primary health=20 care service. The maternal mortality rate has plummeted from 94.7 per = 100,000 in=20 1990 to 56.2 per 100,000 in 1998. The hospitalized delivery rate reached = over=20 66.8% in 1999. The average life expectancy increased to 71 years, the = same as in=20 medium-level developed countries.

--Women's status has been notably raised, children's = rights=20 protected, and the living standard of senior citizens consistently = improved.=20 Currently, women account for more than one-third of all government=20 functionaries, managerial personnel in state-owned enterprises and = institutions=20 and professionals of all trades. In 1999, employed women comprised 46.5% = of the=20 entire work force in China, compared to the world level of 34.5%, and = women's=20 income accounted for 80.4% of men's. The mortality rate for children = under five=20 was 42 in 1998, a decrease of 31.8% from that of 1991.

In 1999, the enrollment rate of school-age children = reached=20 99.1% and the rate of primary school graduates entering middle schools = reached=20 94.4%. Also in 1999, the rate of the one-year-old children inoculated = with the=20 BCG vaccine was 97.8%, the polio vaccine 97.4%, the DPT vaccine 97.8%, = and the=20 measles vaccine 97.5%. In the same year, nearly 30 million retired = people=20 throughout the country werecovered in the basic retirement insurance = scheme, and=20 there were some 1,000 social welfare institutions run by the Government = and=20 around 40,000 community-run senior citizens' homes.

--The whole society has gained a better understanding = of the=20 issue of population. It is agreed that population control is beneficial = to a=20 coordinated and sustainable development of population, economy, society, = resources and environment; birth control should be stepped up and a=20 laissez-faire attitude should be guarded against; while slowing down = population=20 growth, efforts should be made to improve the population quality, = reproductive=20 health, quality of life and well being in general so as to realize human = development in an all-round way; the issue of population is essentially = a=20 problem of development and could only be solved through economic, social = and=20 cultural development. The same period saw impressive changes in the = people's=20 attitude towards marriage, childbearing and the elderly support. The = traditional=20 concepts of "early marriage, early childbirth", "the more sons, the more = happiness" and "men are superior to women" has been gradually replaced = by the=20 scientific and advanced concepts of "late marriage, and later = childbearing,=20 fewer and healthier births" and "boys and girls are equal". More and = more people=20 have voluntarily practiced family planning. The first marriage age for = women of=20 childbearing age averaged 23.57 years in 1998, as against 20.8 years in = 1970.=20 The contraceptive prevalence rate of married women of childbearing age = reached=20 83%, and the average family size had decreased from 4.84 members in 1971 = to 3.63=20 members in 1998.

--International cooperation and exchanges in the area = of=20 population and development have been expanded. China is fully aware that = the=20 solution of its own population and development problem is of = significance to=20 stabilizing the global population and promoting world peace and = development. In=20 the light of its own specific conditions, China would follow the basic=20 principles laid down at all previous international population = conferences and=20 actively carry out relevant resolutions. Since the 1994 International = Conference=20 on Population and Development (ICPD), the Chinese Government has adopted = a=20 series of measures to carry out the ICPD Program of Action. In recent = years,=20 China has worked in effective cooperation with the international = institutions,=20 and also governmental and non-governmental organizations of related = countries in=20 areas such as reproductive health, adolescents education, emergency=20 contraception, male's participation in family planning, etc. The = successful=20 implementation of China's population and family planning program has = provided=20 useful experience and lessons for many other countries and has gradually = been=20 acknowledged by the international community.

8. In the coming decades, China's population and = development=20 program will enter a new historical period. On the premise of = stabilizing a low=20 fertility level, China will achieve a gradual transition from a low = population=20 growth rate to zero growth, and the total population, after reaching its = peak=20 figure, will witness a slow decrease. In the advantageous historical = period with=20 a decreasing birth rate and a declining total social dependency ratio = and rich=20 labor resource, it is essential to give a major boost to education, = science and=20 technology, expand social input, and raise the accumulation level. Thus = China=20 will lay a solid foundation for speeding up economic development, = strengthening=20 its overall national power, and realizing the goal of a coordinated and=20 sustainable development of population, economy, society, resources and=20 environment. Meanwhile, with the establishment and improvement of a = socialist=20 market economy and a sustained, fast and healthy development of the = national=20 economy, there will be a fairly strong material base for solving the = problem of=20 population and development.

9. The Chinese Government knows clearly that the = contradiction=20 between population and development in China remains acute, and that = there still=20 exist many difficulties and challenges: the population growth will = continue for=20 a prolonged period of time, with an annual net increase of over 10 = million in=20 the next decade or so, which will exert great pressure on economy, = society,=20 resources, environment and the sustained development as a whole; it is = difficult=20 to change entirely the relatively low-level population quality in a = short time,=20 which is incompatible with the rapid development of science and = technology; the=20 sharp increase of labor force has placed great pressure upon the job = market; the=20 arrival of an aged society with a relatively under-developed economy has = made it=20 more difficult to establish a comprehensive social security system; with = the=20 unbalanced economic and social development among different regions = continuing to=20 exist for a long period, it is a most arduous task to eradicate poverty; = the=20 increase of floating population, peasants entering towns and cities and=20 population redistribution in different areas will exert impact on the=20 traditional economic and social management system as well as the = relevant=20 population policies; in the process of improving the socialist market = economic=20 system, various contradictions and problems will emerge, and the = complexity of=20 the issue of population and development will remain the same.

II. Targets and Principles

10. Main guidelines for tackling the population and = development=20 issue:

Taking into consideration its basic national = conditions,=20 including a big population, inadequate per-capita resources and a low = level of=20 economic and scientific development, China would persistently follow its = own=20 path in tackling the issue of population and development. It would draw = on other=20 countries' managerial expertise and scientific achievement and tackle = its own=20 population and development issue in accordance with its own specific = conditions.=20 China would persistently follow its sustainable development strategy and = bring=20 about a coordinated development of population, economy, society, = resources and=20 environment so as to realize national modernization with comprehensive = human=20 development. It would combine the universal principle of human rights = with its=20 national conditions, give top priority to the rights to subsistence and=20 development, and facilitate the people's enjoyment of a higher standard = of basic=20 rights and freedom in civil, political, economic, social and cultural = areas.=20 China respects different cultural background, religious beliefs, and = moral=20 concepts. Taking into full consideration the unity between priorities = and=20 conditions, rights and obligations, China has formulated and implemented = population and development plans and policies to ensure that all social = members=20 enjoy an equal opportunity for development.

11. Targets for the national population and = development=20 program

--By 2005, China is to control its population within = 1.33=20 billion (excluding the population of the Hong Kong and Macao Special=20 Administrative Regions and Taiwan Province). The annual average natural = growth=20 of its population should not exceed 9. Comprehensive medical and = reproductive=20 health services are to be offered. Informed choice of contraceptive = measures is=20 practiced. The maternal mortality rate is to be reduced to 42 per = 100,000 with=20 infant mortality dropping to 31. China would consolidate and improve its = achievements made in the nine-year compulsory education. Priorities = would be=20 given to popularizing the nine-year compulsory education in = poverty-stricken=20 areas and areas where ethnic minorities live in compact communities. = Social=20 needs for senior middle school education in urban and some rural regions = would=20 be met, with junior middle school enrollment rate reaching over 90% and = higher=20 education enrollment rate further increased. Social security system is = to be=20 basically established in urban and some rural areas.

--By 2010, China is to control its population within = 1.4=20 billion and the Chinese people will lead a much better life with an = obvious=20 improvement in its population quality. Chinese people enjoy longest = schooling=20 among developing countries. The people would have access to basic = medical health=20 care and reproductive health services. Informed choice of contraceptive = measures=20 is to be practiced widely and the sex ratio at birth is expected to = gradually=20 become normal. China would redouble its efforts to solve the problem of = aging. A=20 nationwide social security system would initially take shape by then. =

--By the mid-21st century, the total population would = reach its=20 peak of 1.6 billion, to be followed by a gradual decrease. The = population=20 quality and people's health would have an overall improvement, with = senior=20 middle school education and higher education popularized nationwide. An=20 efficient and comprehensive social security system will be in place. = There will=20 be a more rational population distribution and employment structure. The = urbanization would be greatly enhanced. The Chinese people would have a = much=20 better life with their per-capita income equaling that of moderately = developed=20 nations. With marked social and cultural progress, China will have = realized its=20 modernization and achieved a coordinated development of population, = economy,=20 resources and environment.

12. Basic principles for solving the population and = development=20 issue:

--Population and development are tackled in a unified = way. When=20 speeding up the economic and social development, with priorities given = to=20 science and education, China is to further improve the people's living = standards=20 and their quality. The issue of population should be included in the = national=20 plan for social and economic development. Various policies and measures = should=20 be formulated and implemented to make the population growth in keeping = with=20 socio-economic development, resource utilization and environmental = protection.=20 The existing family planning policy should be upheld and improved.

--The population issue is to be solved in a = comprehensive way.=20 The management system for the population and family planning program = should be=20 further improved in line with the socialist market economy, with legal,=20 educational, economic and administrative measures combined in tackling = the=20 population problem.

--The Government guidance is to be combined with the = people's=20 wishes. When adopting policies, the Government needs to give due = consideration=20 to both the national and individual interests, the long-term and = short-term=20 interests, and the local interests as well as the interests of the = whole.=20 Administrative measures should be integrated with mass work so as to = promote the=20 voluntary participation of the masses.

--The nationwide promotion is based upon specific = guidance for=20 different localities. Rural and under-developed areas are given = priorities in=20 economic development, while the exemplary role of cities and developed = regions=20 is given full play in boosting the development of different regions.

--It is essential to promote the human-centered = development in=20 a comprehensive way. People's status as masters of the society must be = respected=20 and their legal rights protected. It is necessary to integrate the = family=20 planning program with economic development. Assistance, especially = quality=20 service, should be offered to the people in their endeavors to build up = happy=20 and more civilized families.

III. Plan of Action

Plan of Action

Promoting Family Planning with Quality Services for=20 Reproductive Health

13. In order to keep a low fertility level, it is = necessary to=20 continue the present family planning policy and follow the effective = working=20 principles in implementing population and family planning program. The=20 population regulation and management system should be introduced in line = with=20 the socialist market economy. The grassroots work should be intensified = and=20 favorable conditions actively created so that the population and family = planning=20 program can be integrated with the community management system and the=20 comprehensive service network. Priorities should be given to the family = planning=20 program in the central and western rural areas so that a balanced = regional=20 development can be realized. It is also necessary to reform and improve = the=20 population management system of the program objectives, so that the way = of=20 thinking and the working style with regard to the family planning = program can be=20 improved.

14. Quality services should be greatly promoted. = Emphasis=20 should be put on information, education, communication, contraception = and=20 regular services. It is necessary to disseminate knowledge on science = and offer=20 quality services to people in their daily life and childbearing matters, = so as=20 to meet their needs in family planning and reproductive health, thus = promoting=20 human development in a comprehensive way.

15. It is also necessary to develop industries = related to=20 reproductive health. Quality of the products for reproductive health = should be=20 improved, transformation of high-tech achievements accelerated, and = research on=20 reproductive health enhanced with the establishment of industrial bases. = With=20 the product mix optimized, new technology and products should be = introduced.=20 Market management should be intensified and market behavior = standardized.

Improving the Overall Quality of the Entire People of = the=20 Nation

16. In order to improve the quality of newborn = babies, it is=20 essential to improve the health of women and children by promoting the = maternal=20 and child health care. Knowledge on bearing and rearing better children = should=20 be publicized and supported by pre-marital medical check-up, antenatal=20 diagnosis, genetic counseling, prevention and treatment of newborn = babies'=20 diseases, and other preventive technical services. Pregnant and prenatal = care=20 should be improved, and hospitalized delivery and breast-feeding = encouraged. In=20 this way, the maternity and child health care can be improved with birth = defects=20 reduced.

17. In order to improve the people's health, it is = necessary to=20 strengthen construction of the rural health service networks based upon = the=20 primary health care clinics. Medical security system at various levels = should=20 also be established and improved. It is also necessary to conduct health = education among farmers, with a view to improving their sense of health = and the=20 ability of self-health care. Physical exercises should be widely = promoted for=20 the sake of the people's health. Efforts should be made to improve the = people's=20 living environment and conduct psychological consultations so as to = improve=20 their physical and mental health. Health services should be enhanced in = the=20 periods of adolescence, pregnancy, maternity, menopause and old age so = that=20 people's living standard and their quality of life are improved. = Strenuous=20 efforts should be made to check the spreading of AIDS and other sexually = transmitted diseases.

18. In order to raise the people's educational level, = it is=20 essential to develop basic education, vocational education, adult = education and=20 education for the aged. The rate of illiteracy should be further = reduced. The=20 right to education of the minors, women, ethnic minorities, the = handicapped and=20 the poverty-stricken people should be protected. The reform of education = should=20 be further carried out alongside with the promotion of quality = education, thus=20 improving the sense of creation and the ability to deal with actual = things. The=20 nine-year compulsory education and anti-illiteracy campaign among the = young and=20 the middle-aged should be continued so that senior middle school = education and=20 education of higher learning can be expanded. The system of continuing = education=20 should also be improved so that a life-long educational system could be=20 gradually established.

19. In order to raise the people's ideological and = moral=20 standards, it is necessary to enhance the people's sense of law and = concept of=20 rule by law. Outmoded regulations and bad habits as well as old backward = ideology should be changed and superstitions discarded. At the same = time,=20 healthy values, moral standards, good public opinions on culture and = social=20 practices are to be encouraged. Great importance should be attached to = the=20 healthy development of youngsters by providing them with colorful and = meaningful=20 cultural and educational activities. The young people's understanding of = morality should be strengthened so that their improper behaviors could = be=20 avoided.

Safeguarding the Rights and Interests of Women and = Children

20. Women's rights to work should be safeguarded. = They should=20 enjoy the equal rights with man in business management and operation. = Women's=20 economic status should be enhanced, and their fields of work expanded so = that=20 they enjoy more working opportunity and higher quality of work. We = insure=20 women's rights to get proper payment, to have holidays, to enjoy good = working=20 conditions and social security and to be protected in special labor.

21. Safeguarding the political, social, and cultural = rights of=20 women. Efforts should be made to realize the equality between men and = women and=20 optimize the environment for women's development by eliminating = discrimination=20 against women; safeguard women's rights to participate in political and = social=20 affairs and to receive education; encourage women's self-esteem, = self-confidence=20 and independence, creating conditions for their participation in = management and=20 decision-making process; promote a new type of family relations by = reducing the=20 burden of housework for women. Protect the special interests of the = adolescents,=20 the elderly and disabled women; and crack down on crimes such as = violence,=20 trafficking and prostitution, insuring the personal safety and property = rights=20 of women.

22. Safeguarding women's rights to childbearing in = accordance=20 with the law. Efforts should be made to enhance women's understanding of = health=20 care and guide their ideas on marriage and childbearing; safeguard = women's=20 rights of marriage, family and childbearing and the rights during the = period of=20 menses, pregnancy and maternity; strengthen the publicity and education = of man's=20 role and responsibility in carrying out family planning and raising = children and=20 improve women's rights of decision making in family; held health = check-up,=20 prevention and treatment of reproductive tract infections to women on a = regular=20 basis, insuring much-needed lifelong medical service for women at = different=20 stages of their life. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to cover the = cost of=20 contraception, fertility regulation, and childbearing by pooling various = capital=20 resources; and insure preliminary health care and reasonable subsidy for = women=20 in their childbearing period. Any discrimination against women giving = birth to=20 female baby or women of infertility is forbidden.

23. Helping women relieve from their poverty. To = carry out=20 scientific and technical training should be carried out for women to = improve=20 their ability to wipe out poverty. Care should be taken to the orphaned = or=20 disabled girls and single elderly women with no legal guardian, no = working=20 ability and means to make a living both in urban and rural areas.

24. Safeguarding the rights and interests of = children. Efforts=20 should be made to safeguard children's rights to subsistence, = development, be=20 protected, and participate by optimizing children's living environment; = ensure=20 the all-round development of children by cultivating both their mind and = body.=20 The whole society should be mobilized to help girl child, disabled = girls,=20 children in single parent families and in poverty, and street children. = Any=20 action of maltreating, drowning and discarding girls is forbidden,and = such=20 crimes as mistreatment and trafficking of children ought to be severely=20 punished.

Optimizing Labor Resources

25. Pressing ahead with urbanization. Efforts should = be made to=20 strengthen construction of urban infrastructure and service section, = enhance the=20 quality of urban construction and development, and optimize urban = industrial=20 structure. Special efforts should be made to stress the development of = small and=20 medium-sized cities, improve the function of regional central cities, = and=20 develop the area surrounding large cities. A plan should be mapped out = for small=20 towns, cities and villages reasonably distributed. Regional economic and = cultural centers will be exploited to build a nationwide system = coordinated=20 development of small towns and cities, medium-sized and large = cities.

26. Promoting orderly migration of people. Efforts = should be=20 made to set up a unified, open, competitive, and orderly labor market; = reform=20 the residence registration policy in cities and towns, and gradually = change the=20 policy concerning change in residency in large and medium-sized cities, = so that=20 the rights of people to move and chose jobs freely can be guaranteed and = the=20 redistribution of human resources between cities and countryside and = among=20 various regions can be realized; and provide various services for = migratory=20 people by reforming the management system and setting up efficient = management=20 network based on where the migratory people live and work.

27. Increasing employment opportunities. Reform labor = system=20 and expand employment opportunities and improve the job structure. = Further=20 develop labor-intensive industries and actively develop collective and = private=20 enterprises so as to provide more jobs. Set up labor system of different = stages,=20 and promote flexible and varied forms of employment. Develop labor = market,=20 consummate employment services, strengthen job training, and set up a=20 market-oriented labor system. Set up a social security system that will = cover=20 all the working people and develop a favorable social environment = conducive to=20 the self-development of the working people.

Reducing Poverty

28. Implementing the strategy for the development of = the=20 western regions. The policy of slow-down in population growth, = enhancement of=20 population quality, rational distribution of population, and the = development of=20 human resources should be incorporated into the said strategy so that a=20 coordinated development of the economy and population can be reached. = Measures=20 should be taken for the east to help the west, for cities to help the=20 countryside, and for developed regions to help the underdeveloped areas. = The=20 policy of helping the poverty-stricken people should be made in = accordance with=20 the causes of poverty in different times and regions. The goal should be = switched from relieving the poverty-stricken people of lack of food and = clothes=20 to helping improve the level of social and economic development of the=20 poverty-stricken area. A special policy should be implemented to help = the=20 impoverished regions improve their capability for self-development by = providing=20 fiscal subsidies and project investment, developing science, technology = and=20 education, improving the ecological environment, and creating = opportunities for=20 labor service.

29. Reducing the population living under the poverty = line in=20 the countryside. Efforts should be made to strengthen the work of = relieving=20 poverty by developing the economy, science and technology, education, = and family=20 planning. The poverty alleviation program should focus on helping the = people=20 with the lowest income and the poverty-stricken regions with relatively = dense=20 population by improving conditions for living and production, increasing = the=20 role of science and technology in agricultural development, and = producing=20 market-oriented products and expanding the market. Efforts should be = made to=20 realize the goal of popularizing education, improving the level of = medicare and=20 the quality of people, and strengthening the ability of personal = development. A=20 social security system should be set up gradually in regions with good=20 conditions so as to reduce the rate of poverty recurrence among the = people.

30. Preventing pauperization of urban citizens. We = will=20 gradually set up and consummate the poverty-relief system in cities and = carry=20 out the project of reemployment by expanding the ways of employment. We = will=20 improve the basic insurance for the elderly, health care, unemployment = insurance=20 and the system of ensuring basic living standard for city residents; = widely set=20 up working safety insurance and reproduction insurance to relieve the = working=20 risks; set up a working rehabilitation system to help the injured = workers regain=20 the ability to work; set up a social security network at various levels = by=20 encouraging people to help each other and engage in charity, and develop = commercial insurance.

Guarantee the rights of the elderly

31. Establishing and improving the elderly support = system. The=20 old-age welfare service system should be based on family supply, = supported by=20 community welfare service and supplemented by social welfare = organizations. We=20 will set up and improve the basic insurance system for the elderly in = cities and=20 towns while mainly adhering to the family-based insurance of the elderly = in=20 rural areas. Meanwhile, we should further upgrade social assistance as = well as=20 the "five-guarantee" supply mechanism focusing on guaranteeing food, = clothing,=20 housing, medicare and burial service; and gradually establish an = insurance=20 system combining the state, society, family and individual so as to = promote the=20 wholesomeness and the life quality of the old people.

32. Creating a sound social environment for = protecting the=20 rights and interests of the aged. Efforts should be made to set up and = improve=20 the laws, regulations and policies for protecting the rights and = interests of=20 the old people, strengthen legal supervision and law enforcement, and = fight=20 against unlawful behaviors such as abusing, forsaking and persecuting = the old=20 people; carry forward such Chinese traditional virtues as respecting and = loving=20 the aged, ensuring their access to economic supply, medical care, = appropriate=20 treatment, study and education, cultural activities and entertainment = while=20 providing the old people with a pleasant, warm and peaceful living = environment.=20 The old people should be encouraged to learn scientific and cultural = knowledge,=20 give full scope to their potentials in participating in social life, and = cultivate independence and self-assistance.

33. Striving to develop industry for the elderly. = Efforts=20 should be made to study and develop products that meet the material and = cultural=20 needs of the old people, encourage and lead the development of the = market=20 centering to the old-age household consumption; develop socialized = old-age=20 insurance service through establishing and developing and = industrializing social=20 service facilities and networks; adopt some preferential measures with = regard to=20 taxation and loans to raise funds in a multiple way to develop the = industry for=20 the elderly.

Improve the Ecological Environment for Human = Settlement

34. Strengthening people's awareness of the = coordinated=20 development of population, resources and the environment. Efforts should = be made=20 to promote the all-round layout of slow-down in population growth, = environmental=20 protection and resource exploitation to enhance the support ability of=20 population, resources and the environment to economic development, = change the=20 people's traditional way of thinking and behavior, and take measures = such as=20 "putting prevention first, having the polluters pay for pollution = treatment and=20 strengthening environmental management" to curb the deteriorating = environment=20 and remarkably improve the environmental quality in cities and the = countryside.=20 Measures should be taken to improve the economic compensation system for = paid=20 use of natural resources and the renewal of resources, enhance the = comprehensive=20 use rate of resources and economic profits, stop destructive = exploitation of=20 natural resources, alleviate the controversy between population and = economic=20 growth and the limitation of resources.

35. Altering the way of life and production. The=20 over-consumption of resources, heavy pollution, unsustainable way of = life and=20 production should be changed to make way for a resource-saving and=20 environmentally-friendly consumption structure and way of production in = favor of=20 the sustainable development.

36. Protecting the eco-environment in key areas. = Efforts should=20 be made to specially protect and improve the ecological environment = where human=20 and environmental resources clash sharply. With the city's functional = areas=20 built scientifically and rationally, sewage and garbage will be disposed = centrally, and clean energy will be adopted to help minimize air = pollution.=20 Land, arable land in particular, should be used reasonably and = economically.=20 Strong measures will be taken to strengthen the building of the urban=20 environmental infrastructure, regulate industrial structure and lay-out, = shun=20 the unpromising way of "pollution first, treatment afterwards," = strengthen=20 prevention and control of the pollution in major river valleys to ensure = the=20 security of the drinking water of the inhabitants. Measures should be = taken to=20 stop predatory development, and return what have been seized from lakes, = forests=20 and grasslands to them, push forward the work of planting trees and = grass, treat=20 soil erosion, prevent and control desertification, establish ecological=20 agriculture, strengthen the protection of natural resources such as = arable land,=20 water, forest, grassland and bio-diversity conservation.

IV. Guarantee Measures

Improve the Legal System

37. Enacting and improving rules and regulations. = Efforts=20 should be made to accelerate the legislation and improve its quality, = set up and=20 strengthen the laws concerning population and development. Population = problem=20 should be studied as a major factor used to produce economic and social = rules=20 and laws, providing the legal support for implementing the basic state=20 policy.

38. Upgrading the management according to the law. = Efforts=20 should be made to carry forward administration by the law and strengthen = the=20 law-enforcement to realize the standardization, legalization and = scientification=20 of management and service at the grassroots level; accelerate the = democratic=20 construction at the grassroots level to carry forth democratic = decision-making,=20 management, and supervision; strengthen legal promulgation and education = to=20 enhance the legal awareness and idea of the public; push forward the = execution=20 and law-enforcing responsibility system, improve the quality of the = public=20 servants, establish a sound management system for implementing = population and=20 family planning at the grassroots level.

39. Improving the system of legal supervision. = Efforts should=20 be made to enhance the supervision of law-enforcing, establish and = improve the=20 complete supervision system, comprising the supervision by the = jurisdiction, the=20 supervision by the execution, the public opinion, the society and the = masses;=20 establish the just and open system, as well as the examination and = assessment=20 system for those who administer and enforce laws so as to ensure the = sound=20 development of the cause of population and family planning.

Improve Interest-Oriented Mechanism

40. Establishing the regulation system for population = and=20 development. Efforts should be made to produce the population strategy = and=20 regulation complying well with the social and economic development, = establish=20 and improve policy system and management measures combining the = treatment of=20 population with the family planning, keep the balance among the = population,=20 social development, resources and environmental protection.

41. Establishing and improving the interest-oriented = mechanism=20 related to population and family planning. By undertaking economic = development,=20 educational popularization and development of medicare cause, people = should be=20 encouraged to consciously practice family planning. Proper economic = policy=20 should be worked out to combine the work of population and family = planning with=20 the economic development, anti-poverty effects and the building of a = cultural=20 and happy family by providing those family planning households with = small-amount=20 loans, priority items, scientific assistance and preferential treatment, = hoping=20 to help the farmers cope with their difficulty and make money by having = fewer=20 babies.

42. Establishing incentive mechanism encouraging the = family=20 planning. These will include vibrant subsidy and tangible benefits such = as bonus=20 for fertility regulation and family welfare. A certain amount of bonus = will be=20 given to the family with only child. Necessary assistance will be = granted to the=20 parents with only child when they retire in line with local conditions. = The=20 family that carries out family planning will be offered preferential = treatment=20 in allocating economic income of the collectives, enjoying collective = welfare,=20 dividing the field for house-building, contract for land management, = employment,=20 medicare, and sending their children into the kindergarten.

43. Establishing social security system conducive to = population=20 and development, especially family planning. In the countryside, there = will be=20 the multiple security system relating to the old-age insurance, = children's=20 safety and health, cooperative medicare, maternal and child health care, = planned=20 immunity and birth-control operation safety; in the city, efforts will = be made=20 to set up and improve the security system including the old-age = insurance,=20 medicare insurance, unemployment insurance, and child-bearing insurance. = The=20 system for ensuring a minimum standard of living for urban residents = will be=20 improved to upgrade gradually the insurance of a minimum standard of = living. The=20 society will be encouraged to participate into social assistance and = voluntary=20 service to resolve actual difficulties of the masses.

Intensifying Publicity and Education

44. Mobilizing the society and government departments = for=20 involvement in and support for cultural development that facilitates = population=20 and family planning, by which a socialized publicity and education = format is=20 formed. Regular publicity activities and education programs should be = conducted=20 through public media or other popular means so that local communities, = families=20 and the public can benefit and facilitate a healthy social environment = in which=20 everybody cares about population and family planning.

45. Developing the population culture, promoting = social=20 progress, and boosting a new birth-giving culture. People should be = encouraged=20 to develop social moralities and family virtues that include abiding by = law,=20 harmony of couples, respect for the old and love for the young. By doing = so, we=20 intend to cultivate the national sense of population and develop a = scientific,=20 culturally advanced concept of marriage, family and support for the old. = Included in such concept are becoming well-to-do based on fewer = children,=20 equality between men and women, and late marriage and late childbearing. = We=20 should actively offer educational programs on population and puberty, = sexual=20 health, and the health of the aged. We should also popularize knowledge = on=20 contraception, healthy childbearing and childrearing, reproductive = health, and=20 healthy aging.

Building up a Framework for Scientific and = Technological=20 Renovation

46. Intensifying course study of population and = development.=20 China will work to develop an internationally advanced course of study = on=20 population and development. By boosting combination of social sciences = and=20 natural sciences, China will develop a comprehensive theory system of = population=20 studies that includes new subject areas of population, frontier = subjects, and=20 cross subjects. The instructive role of population science theory will = be given=20 full play and will be made to support decision making in population and=20 development.

47. Promoting scientific and technological = innovations. China=20 will intensively apply latest developments of modern science and = technology,=20 particularly those new achievements in biology, information and = materials. Basic=20 science research will be intensified. State key laboratories in areas of = population and development, and development centers or bases in science = and=20 technology will be established so that capacities of intellectual and = technical=20 innovation are upgraded. We will expand research developments in areas = of=20 population, and intensify research of key techniques with regard to = fertility=20 regulation, reproductive health, healthier births and better child = rearing as=20 well as infertility. We will intensify capacity in scientific research = and=20 technological development, as well as intensify development and = introduction of=20 new technologies and products, and boost their application.

48. Further promoting quality services, particularly = with=20 technical services at the core. Focusing on technical services, the = quality of=20 care reproductive health services on fertility, contraception and = infertility=20 should be delivered to the people. We will promote the informed choice = of=20 contraceptive measures, conduct public surveys and preventive treatment = of=20 women's diseases. Grassroots medical services and technical service = institutions=20 will be improved so that a comprehensive market-oriented service format = is=20 formed. A quality certification system and quality-monitoring framework = with=20 regard to family planning should also be established. We will improve = service=20 conditions, standardize services, expand service areas and raise = qualities of=20 services.

49. Realizing a computerized management of population = and=20 development. We will establish and improve a network of information = collection,=20 report, analysis, and announcement, a network which combines population=20 management information and service information of family planning and=20 reproductive health together. We will establish information network and = document=20 databases that provide grassroots access to information on population = and means=20 to spread knowledge, provide information, and offer education and = training on=20 popular science.

Expanding Money Input

50. Gradually increasing financial input in = population and=20 family planning programs. We will establish a stable guarantee mechanism = of=20 input, including family planning expenditures into government budgets at = different levels. We will gradually increase central and local financial = input=20 in population and family planning programs. The increase of that input = should be=20 bigger than the increase of financial revenues. Much favorable input = should go=20 to western regions, ethnic minority areas and disaster-stricken regions, = where=20 financial situations are poor.

51. Working out a policy mechanism of financial input = for=20 population and family planning programs. Enterprises and government = institutions=20 are encouraged to increase their input in these areas. We will work out=20 favorable policies and awarding measures. By economic means, we put into = place a=20 sound social input mechanism. We will also establish a multi-channel=20 fund-raising system, in which donations from non-governmental sectors, = social=20 and international communities are welcome. Both public fund and = development fund=20 for population and family planning are established and interests of = loans and=20 their terms are favored. Enterprises and individuals are welcome to put=20 investment in population and family planning programs.

52. Increasing efficiency of fund utilization. Remote = poverty-stricken areas will be given priorities in their grassroots = network=20 development with regard to population and family planning services. = Basic=20 development plans and standard of technical equipment will be followed. = We=20 should take regional differences into consideration and rationally = allocate and=20 use technical resources of relevant departments and to make the = advantages of=20 relevant departments complementary with each other so as to raise the = input and=20 output efficiency. We should also improve relevant financial transfer = and=20 payment system and the allocation system at various levels and at the = same time=20 strengthen supervision and management of fund utilization.

Attaching Importance to the Role of Non-Governmental = and Mass=20 Organizations

53. Encouraging the role of social and = non-governmental=20 organizations, like the Women's Federation, the Trade Union, the = Communist Youth=20 League, the Association for Family Planning, the Committee on Aging,=20 neighborhood committees, and village committees, in the management of = population=20 and family planning and relevant services. The Chinese Government will = create=20 conditions to facilitate policy measures and a functional mechanism in = which=20 non-governmental sectors can involve in the work of population and = development.=20 Such organizations and sectors are welcome to participate in decision = making.=20 Their rights of self-reliance are respected. They are also provided with = necessary fund, technology, and information and work instructions.

54. Intensifying establishment of family planning = associations=20 in line with principles of being broader-based, regular, exemplary and = active.=20 With help and support, family planning associations are encouraged to = hold=20 various information, education and communication activities and services = in line=20 with their own conditions. People are mobilized and instructed to = proceed with=20 self-education, self-management, and self-services so that these = associations=20 can work as bridges between the government and the people.

Expanding International Exchanges and Cooperation

55. Actively participating in activities of world = population=20 and development, through which international communities are made aware = of=20 China's population policy, its achievements and efforts made in = promoting the=20 human rights. China advocates mutual understanding and seeking and = expanding=20 common grounds while reserving differences based on equality and mutual=20 respect.

56. Intensifying cooperation with international = organizations,=20 regional bodies, foreign governments and non-governmental organizations = and=20 expanding areas and ways of cooperation with them. Projects that relate = to basic=20 research of population and family planning, publicity and education, and = comprehensive services will be given priority. Bilateral and = multi-lateral=20 exchanges in population and family planning will also be conducted, = including=20 exchanges of and training for personnel in the fields of = decision-making,=20 management and technology. Through these exchanges the latest = developments in=20 science and technology and other useful experiences can be=20 learned.