BEIJING: China outlined steps on Monday (Oct 28) to improve family planning and parenting measures in an effort to boost the number of births, a statement from the state council, or Cabinet, showed, after two consecutive years of a shrinking population. The birth rate hit a record low last year in China, which has a population … Read more
The 41-year-old had lost around 80 per cent of the 2 million yuan (US$283,000) she invested over a decade. This week she was among the hundreds of millions of Chinese rushing back to the market on a wave of optimism after the government announced new measures to revive the economy. “I think the top leadership … Read more
Beijing’s quick endorsement of a scheme to raise the retirement age shows it is determined to address the problem of dwindling pension funds amid faltering economic growth and an ageing population, analysts say. But, they add, the changes are unlikely to be a silver bullet for fiscal shortfalls and could come with “political pain”. For … Read more
Now, nearly 11 years later, I would have to say that while the Chinese economy has progressed on many fronts, the implementation of those reforms has been disappointing. I think the critique that was raised by former Premier Wen Jiabao in March of 2007 – when he warned that the Chinese economy, while strong on … Read more
As the challenges stack up, the two sessions could provide indications of potential government action to come. “Many are looking forward to stimulus packages for the economy. Reinvigoration of post-Covid recovery will be given importance,” NUS’ Dr Lim told CNA. Still, another observer does not expect the economy to be singled out for special mention. … Read more
In Beijing, local authorities gave similar positive responses on Jan 30 to residents calling for the nursing leave to be extended. Employees in the capital get 10 days’ paid parental care leave, but only if they are the sole child in the family. The Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau said it “fully appreciates” the urgent needs … Read more
Why is this happening? Observers attributed China’s latest population decline to a wave of pandemic deaths early in 2023, after the world’s second largest economy abruptly dismantled its strict zero-COVID regime. Last year, overall deaths went up 6.6 per cent to 11.1 million, with the death rate reaching its highest level since 1974 during the Cultural … Read more
