Luo Xiao from the Museum, the diplomatic community, the Indian diaspora and friends of India also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi….reports Asian Lite News
India’s Ambassador to China, Pradeep Singh Rawat and his wife, Shruti Rawat, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Jintai Museum on his 155th birth anniversary.
Luo Xiao from the Museum, the diplomatic community, the Indian diaspora and friends of India also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
“Ambassador Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat & Mrs Shruti Rawat paid homage to Gandhiji at the Jintai Museum on Gandhiji’s 155th birth anniversary. Ms Luo Xiao from the Museum, diplomatic community, Indian diaspora & friends of India also paid tribute to Bapuji,” the Indian Embassy in China posted on X.
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated annually on October 2, marking the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This day serves as a national holiday across India, during which citizens pay homage to Gandhi’s teachings of non-violence and peaceful resistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union Minister Manohar Lal and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi paid his heartfelt tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, emphasising the lasting impact of Bapu’s life and ideals based on truth, harmony and equality, and said that these principles continue to inspire the people of the country.
“On behalf of all countrymen, salutations to Pujya Bapu on his birth anniversary. His life and ideals based on truth, harmony and equality will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen,” PM Modi posted on X.
Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, on October 2, 1869, Gandhi emerged as a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule, advocating for non-violent protest and civil disobedience as means to achieve social and political change.
His remarkable leadership and visionary outlook played a significant role in India achieving independence in 1947. The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi continues to inspire generations, resonating not only in India but across the globe.
His teachings remain profoundly relevant as societies strive for peace, tolerance, and social justice in an increasingly divided world. (ANI)
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hold a video meeting on May 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Deng Hua/IANS)
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Beijing opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions…reports Asian Lite News
Reacting to reports that Israel has launched ground military operations in Southern Lebanon, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Wednesday that China is “deeply concerned” about turmoil in the Middle East and opposes violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, the China-based Global Times reported.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Beijing opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions. The spokesperson urged the international community, particularly major nations with influence, to play a constructive role and avoid further turmoil, as reported by the Global Times.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that Beijing considers the protracted fighting in Gaza the “root cause of this round of turmoil in the Middle East” and stressed that all parties need to work urgently for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, Global Times reported.
The situation in West Asia continues to escalate. On Wednesday, a day after Iran targeted Israel with a rocket barrage, the IDF called on Lebanese civilians in two dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately.”Hezbollah’s activity forces the IDF to act against it.
The IDF does not wish to harm you. For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, their facilities, or their weapons, puts themselves at risk,” Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, said in a statement on X.
The Israeli military said it will update the civilians when they can return. On Tuesday, the Israeli military issued similar orders to 28 other villages in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has described its ground operations in southern Lebanon as “limited, localised, and targeted raids,” with the goal of demolishing Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the border area.
Earlier, in a series of targeted airstrikes, Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, under precise guidance from the Intelligence Directorate, struck multiple Hezbollah weapons production sites and terrorist infrastructure across Beirut.
According to a post by the IAF on their official X handle (formerly Twitter), numerous measures were taken to minimise harm to civilians, including advance warnings to those in the affected areas. The statement highlighted Hezbollah’s practice of placing weaponry beneath residential buildings, further endangering the civilian population.
The Israeli Air Force said, “Fighter jets of the Air Force, under the precise intelligence guidance of the Intelligence Division, carried out a series of targeted attacks in recent days throughout Beirut against a number of munitions production sites and other terrorist infrastructures in the area. Before the attack, many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harm to those not involved, advance warnings to the population in the area.”
“The terrorist organization Hezbollah places its production sites and means of warfare, including under residential buildings in the heart of Beirut, putting the population in the area at risk. The attacks were intended to damage the organization’s capabilities, and at this time the IDF continues to attack with force to damage and destroy Hezbollah’s military capabilities and infrastructure,” it added. (ANI)
Chinese envoy to India Xu Fiehong said that China is willing work with India to advance bilateral relations…reports Asian Lite News
China on Wednesday acknowledged the congratulatory message sent by President Droupadi Murmu to Chinese Presiden Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Chinese envoy to India Xu Fiehong said that China is willing work with India to advance bilateral relations.
“President Droupadi Murmu sent her congratulatory message to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China is willing to work with the Indian side to advance bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track, in accordance with the principle of mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual accommodation and mutual accomplishment,” the Chinese envoy to India said in a post on X.
On September 27, in her message, President Murmu emphasised the significance of fostering peaceful and stable relations, stating, “As two large neighbours with many common developmental challenges and shared regional interests, it is important that we work towards peaceful and stable relations between our two countries.”
In her communication, President Murmu expressed a desire to enhance bilateral cooperation, saying, “I look forward to working with you to realise a mutually beneficial relationship and leverage our respective strengths for the benefit of people of both countries and the region and world.”
Meanwhile on October 1, while speaking at an event hosted by Carnegie Endowment in the US, EAM S Jaishankar said that the tensions between India and China will continue until there are forward deployments of militaries on border.
“In terms of our own relationship with China, I think it’s a long story, but the short version is that we have agreements on how to keep the border peaceful and tranquil, and those agreements were violated by China in 2020. And some of the…because we have forward deployments of our militaries, there are resulting tensions. And until those forward deployments are addressed the tensions would continue. If the tensions continue, it casts a natural shadow over the rest of the relationship. So, our relationship hasn’t been great for the last four years,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that the India-China standoff at the border is continuing as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic discussions did not reap results. (ANI)
Former British journalist Peter Humphrey noted that while countries like the United States have institutional frameworks for addressing the wrongful detention of their citizens abroad, these measures have proven ineffective when dealing with the Chinese regime, a report by Rajesh Kumar Sharma
In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the detention of foreigners within China’s prison system, controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
These detentions, which often occur under ambiguous legal circumstances, raise concerns about the transparency of China’s legal system, its use of hostages for political leverage, and the treatment of foreign nationals who are often left to navigate a complex and opaque judicial system.
Recently, a British journalist told an Australian Senate Committee that around 10,000 foreigners are currently held in the CCP’s prison system.
According to a report by The Epoch Times, at an enquirty hearing last week, former British journalist and business Peter Humphrey, who was involved with China for 50 years, shared his experience of being wrongfully detained by China’s communist regime.
Humphrey said he and his Chinese American wife were arrested in 2013 on fabricated charges of illegal “information gathering.”
At the time of their arrest, they were operating a consultancy firm focused on fraud investigation, assisting clients in mitigating risks while conducting business in China.
The couple endured two years in a Shanghai prison, which they later described as a “devastating experience.”
Humphrey was released early in June 2015 due to health complications, with his wife being freed around the same time.
Following his release, Humphrey began working with families facing the challenges of securing the release of loved ones who had been arbitrarily detained in China.
Based on his research, he estimated that approximately 10,000 foreigners were imprisoned in China, with many of them likely wrongfully detained.
Foreigners detained in China often find themselves caught in a system where the legal process can be difficult to follow.
The charges leveled against them may range from common crimes such as drug trafficking or fraud to more politically sensitive accusations like espionage or endangering national security.
In many cases, foreign nationals are not immediately granted access to legal counsel or consular support, a violation of international norms.
Recounting his experience in China, Humphrey described the judicial system under the CCP as one of oppression rather than justice.
He emphasized that every aspect of the system—police, prosecution, judiciary, prisons, and even Chinese lawyers—operates under the regime’s complete control.
“No judge is independent or impartial; they merely serve as the Party’s messengers,” Humphrey said, explaining that the system is often manipulated by influential individuals to harm those they have personal grievances against.
“Cases are built on coerced confessions, sometimes broadcast on television, and false witness statements,” he noted.
Shedding light on the harsh conditions within CCP-run prisons, Humphrey recounted how prisoners were forced to sleep on the floor in overcrowded cells and were given filthy, substandard food to eat.
He revealed that prisoners were subjected to forced labor for the prison’s commercial gain and were compelled to write “mandatory thought reports” as part of a brainwashing campaign.
Additionally, proper medical care was often withheld, even for serious conditions like cancer, Humphrey added.
Humphrey highlighted the issue of a “two-tier response” from Western countries regarding the detention of their citizens in China.
“The first tier is what I refer to as a ‘nanny and messenger service,’ where detainees receive occasional consular visits. These visits may include delivering letters, messages from home, or reading materials,” he explained.
“The second tier involves what we frequently hear from Western consular representatives during these visits: ‘Sorry, we can’t intervene in your case.’”
He expressed frustration, noting that whenever detainees request any action that the consular officials perceive as interfering with the legal process, they refuse to take further steps.
Humphrey noted that while countries like the United States have institutional frameworks for addressing the wrongful detention of their citizens abroad, these measures have proven ineffective when dealing with the Chinese regime.
He emphasized, “Western democracies need to join forces and present a united front in their approach to this issue.”
In some cases, the detention of foreigners serves as a tactic for political bargaining.
National security charges are often vague, and trials are frequently held behind closed doors.
This lack of transparency makes it difficult for the international community to scrutinize whether due process is followed.
Moreover, China’s judicial system has a high conviction rate, especially in politically sensitive cases, further exacerbating concerns over the fairness of these trials.
The use of foreign detainees as leverage in diplomatic negotiations has led to accusations that China is engaging in “hostage diplomacy.”
In such cases, foreigners are detained not solely for their individual actions but as a means of exerting pressure on their home countries.
This has been seen in multiple high-profile cases involving US, UK, Canadian, and Australian nationals.
These cases often involve accusations of spying or other threats to national security, even when evidence may be scarce or ambiguous.
The detention of foreigners across the CCP’s prison system highlights several key issues, including the lack of transparency in China’s legal processes, the use of detainees as political leverage, and concerns over human rights and fair treatment in detention.
For foreign nationals living or working in China, the threat of arbitrary detention remains a looming concern, one that underscores the broader challenges of navigating China’s complex and opaque legal landscape.
The regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, aim to regulate network data processing activities…reports Asian Lite News
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, unveiling regulations on network data security management.
The regulations, which will take effect on January 1, 2025, aim to regulate network data processing activities, protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and safeguard national security and public interests.
They put forward general requirements and provisions for network data security, further specify rules concerning personal information protection, and fine-tune mechanisms for the management of important data, Xinhua news agency reported.
The country will improve the rules and regulations on the cross-border security of network data, and clarify the conditions under which network data processors can provide personal information to overseas parties, according to the document.
In addition, the regulations also stipulate the obligations for internet platform service providers, specifying data protection requirements for entities such as third-party service and product providers.
India set for next boom
As rising cloud and AI adoption trigger demand for more data centres, the United States currently leads with 5,388 data centres globally, 10 times more than China and most European countries, data showed on Tuesday, as India gears up for a data centre boom.
As per data presented by Stocklytics.com, the US constitutes 70 per cent more than the next 10 largest data centre markets combined.
Germany at second spot has 520 data centres and the UK is third with 512 such facilities. China is the fourth player in the global data centre landscape with 449 listed data centres.
Canada, France, and Australia follow with 336, 315, and 307 data centres, respectively.
As per Cloudscene data, Japan is the last country on the top 10 list, with 219 operational data centres.
The surge of AI technologies, which require significant computing power and storage, has fuelled the data centre boom, helping the market grow by 52 per cent since 2017 and hit a $416 billion value.
The global data centre market is likely to grow by a CAGR of 8.45 per cent in the following years and become a half-a-trillion-dollar industry by 2027.
As per Statista Market Insights, the US data centre market will generate over $120 billion, or about 30 per cent of total market revenue, in 2024.
India is fast catching up with the global data centre market. The country has the potential to add another 500 MW data centre capacity over next the four years.
President Xi Jinping addresses a high-level symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong/IANS)
Xi Jinping said achieving the “complete reunification of the motherland” is “an irreversible trend, a righteous cause, and the will of the people….reports Asian Lite News
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan (MAC) has rejected Chinese President Xi Jinping’s claims about Taiwan made during the People’s Republic of China’s 75th anniversary celebrations, local media reported.
At a state banquet held on the eve of the anniversary on September 30, Xi claimed that Taiwan is “China’s sacred territory, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, and blood is thicker than water”, Taiwan News reported.
Xi He insisted on continued adherence to Beijing’s “one-China principle” and the “1992 Consensus” and firmly opposed “Taiwan independence separatist activities.”
One China principle is a position held by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that there exists only one sovereign state under the name China, with the PRC serving as the sole legitimate government of China, and Taiwan.
The 1992 consensus refers to the outcome of a meeting in 1992 between the representatives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-led People’s Republic of China (PRC) in mainland China and the Kuomintang (KMT)-led Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan. They are often credited to creating a diplomatic basis between the two.
Xi Jinping said achieving the “complete reunification of the motherland” is “an irreversible trend, a righteous cause, and the will of the people.” He declared, “No one can stop the wheel of history.”
Taiwan News reported that the MAC called on China’s authorities to “face up to the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not affiliated with each other, rationally face the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and engage in pragmatic dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected government.” It also called upon Beijing to build goodwill to foster favourable conditions for the development of cross-strait relations.
MAC Minister Chiu Chui-Cheng told the media, “The Republic of China is a sovereign country. Taiwan has never been part of the People’s Republic of China. The reality and objective fact of the Taiwan Strait is that the two sides are not subordinate to each other.”
Chiu added that China’s the ‘one China’ principle and the ‘1992 Consensus’ are opposed by mainstream public opinion in Taiwan. (ANI)
The letter highlighted that the Select Committee has identified PRC-made drones as a threat to the national and economic security of the United States….reports Asian Lite News
The leadership of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has urged the Virginia government to stop using Chinese drones that pose intelligence threats.
The SCCCP requested Congresspeople John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi to stop using Chinese drones as the CIA, the Director of National Intelligence, and numerous government personnel stay in Fairfax County.
In a post on X, the SCCCP stated, “Rep. John Moolenaar, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Fairfax County must cease using Chinese military-linked DJI Global drones that pose an espionage risk. Fairfax County is home to the CIA, the Director of National Intelligence, and numerous government personnel.”
The committee chairman’s letter called on Fairfax County to reconsider its procurement and deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufactured in or owned by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This caution arises from the presence of sensitive national security sites and interests in the area, as well as the threats posed by PRC-made drones.
The letter highlighted that the Select Committee has identified PRC-made drones as a threat to the national and economic security of the United States. Entities of concern include, but are not limited to, Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd. (DJI/R) and Autel Robotics.
Over the years, the Executive Branch and Congress have taken numerous steps to address national security concerns related to the procurement and deployment of PRC drones and to protect sensitive data. This includes the January 2024 Joint CISA and FBI report on PRC-made drone technology.
The committee urged local governments like Fairfax County to seize the opportunity to safeguard residents from these threats. The letter also referenced a 2017 Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin highlighting concerns that DJI was likely transmitting sensitive US data to the Chinese government, raising significant national security concerns.
In December 2020, the Department of Commerce placed DJI on its “Entity List,” citing its involvement in aiding China’s human rights abuses against the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang region through biometric surveillance and tracking.
Furthermore, in July 2021, the Department of Defence emphasized the importance of addressing the threats posed by DJI drones, making it a priority for the Department and underscoring ongoing security risks to US interests. In December 2021, the Department of the Treasury identified DJI as part of the PRC Military-Industrial Complex and added it to its sanctions list, reinforcing the perception of a national security threat posed by PRC-manufactured drones in the United States.
As of May 2023, seven states have grounded their fleets of PRC-related UAS and banned future procurement due to legitimate concerns about proprietary data being sent back to the PRC. Such data could potentially be accessed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the PRC’s National Security Law, which mandates access to devices and programs through backdoors, also known as “embedded and reserved interfaces.”
Fairfax County currently operates a mixed fleet of UAS. Public safety programs, emergency services, and the fire department utilize these platforms to carry out their missions. However, the use of China-made UAS platforms and sensors raises concerns as they collect high-resolution imagery of facilities and individuals, putting sensitive information at risk of being accessed by the CCP. (ANI)
Taiwan’s Presidential Office criticised China’s efforts to disrupt regional peace and stability, urging Beijing to practice self-restraint and act responsibly…reports Asian Lite News
Taiwan’s government on Thursday criticised China’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, calling it “an effort to disrupt regional peace and stability.”
According to the Chinese Defence Ministry’s statement shared on social media, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at 8:44 a.m. on Wednesday, Taiwan focus reported. The missile carried a simulated warhead and landed in international waters, the statement said.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office criticised China’s efforts to disrupt regional peace and stability, urging Beijing to practice self-restraint and act responsibly.
The Cabinet emphasised that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, would collaborate closely with the United States and other like-minded nations to uphold regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Additionally, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that numerous countries in the Indo-Pacific region have voiced concerns about China’s “irresponsible actions,” Taiwan Focus reported.
The ministry stated that Taiwan will persist in collaborating with like-minded nations to limit the spread of authoritarianism and collectively protect peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) accused Beijing of “sabre-rattling” over the test and live-fire drills by the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command in the Yellow and Bohai seas.
Taiwan’s MND accused China of generating a “false sense of peaceful dialogue” by allowing the head of the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command to engage in overseas exchanges while the military drills were taking place.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, the Ministry of National Defence reported that 29 Chinese aircraft were spotted near Taiwan, with 21 of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or extending into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the northern, central, and southwestern regions of the island. (ANI)
Taiwan’s Presidential Office criticised China’s efforts to disrupt regional peace and stability…reports Asian Lite News
Taiwan’s government on Thursday criticised China’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, calling it “an effort to disrupt regional peace and stability.”
According to the Chinese Defence Ministry’s statement shared on social media, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at 8:44 a.m. on Wednesday, Taiwan focus reported. The missile carried a simulated warhead and landed in international waters, the statement said.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office criticised China’s efforts to disrupt regional peace and stability, urging Beijing to practice self-restraint and act responsibly.
The Cabinet emphasised that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, would collaborate closely with the United States and other like-minded nations to uphold regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Additionally, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that numerous countries in the Indo-Pacific region have voiced concerns about China’s “irresponsible actions,” Taiwan Focus reported.
The ministry stated that Taiwan will persist in collaborating with like-minded nations to limit the spread of authoritarianism and collectively protect peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) accused Beijing of “sabre-rattling” over the test and live-fire drills by the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command in the Yellow and Bohai seas.
Taiwan’s MND accused China of generating a “false sense of peaceful dialogue” by allowing the head of the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command to engage in overseas exchanges while the military drills were taking place.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, the Ministry of National Defence reported that 29 Chinese aircraft were spotted near Taiwan, with 21 of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or extending into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the northern, central, and southwestern regions of the island. (ANI)
China’s fluctuating demographics highlight the lasting impact of the one-child policy, as the recent halt on foreign adoptions signals the nation’s urgent attempts to correct its population challenges….reports Asian Lite News
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has recently abolished its longstanding foreign adoption policy, which had been in effect for over thirty years, effectively halting cross-border adoptions.
Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, asserted that this policy shift aligns with global trends. However, this decision has raised concerns among many, particularly in the United States, regarding the status of pending adoption applications in China. In recent years, China has implemented a series of reforms aimed at addressing its demographic challenges, which are largely a consequence of the former ‘one-child’ policy enforced from 1979 to 2015.
As the country faces what is perceived as a demographic crisis, it is now adopting new strategies and modifying existing policies to navigate these challenges.
China:People play on the ice-covered Shichahai lake which has been turned to an ice rink in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong/ians)
In 1980, Deng Xiaoping introduced the one-child policy in China as a response to the population reaching nearly one billion, with the expectation that it would stimulate economic growth.
Unlike typical family planning strategies that rely on public education and encouragement, China adopted a more severe approach—strict enforcement. The National Health and Family Planning Commission implemented a range of incentives and rewards for compliance with the one-child policy while imposing punitive measures, including hefty fines and job losses for those who violated the rules.
The most extreme enforcement tactics involved forced abortions, sterilisations, and the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs), which grossly infringed upon the reproductive rights of women in China. Official statistics from the Chinese health ministry indicate that approximately 336 million abortions, 196 million sterilisations, and 403 million IUD insertions occurred during this policy’s enforcement, generating an estimated revenue of two trillion yuan (around $315 billion).
China’s youth unemployment rate as high as nearly 20%.
The implementation of China’s one-child policy had severe consequences, particularly for the working class population. While the affluent could circumvent the policy’s restrictions by paying substantial fines, the working class faced the most significant hardships. The policy deprived second-born children of basic rights, such as legal registration in the national household system, access to healthcare, and education.
As a result, many families were compelled to take drastic measures to avoid punishment. China’s cultural preference for male children exacerbated the situation, leading to an increase in the abhorrent practice of female infanticide. Estimates suggest that approximately 20 million female babies fell victim to sex-selective abortions.
Other practices included child abandonment and adoption, predominantly involving female children. Consequently, China became the largest source of cross-border adoptions during the one-child policy era. The policy’s enforcement was so draconian that it marked one of the darkest phases in China’s history.
In 1981, the People’s Republic of China established its first comprehensive legislation recognising adoption, which had previously been largely absent from Chinese cultural practices due to traditional beliefs surrounding the preservation of bloodlines. However, the one-child policy led to a cultural shift towards adoption as a means of navigating the severe penalties associated with policy violations.
The 1991 Adoption Law introduced significant reforms for domestic adoptions, allowing childless citizens under 35 to adopt collateral blood relatives without facing the usual legal restrictions.
Consequently, there was an increase in domestic adoptions, particularly involving second-born children being surrendered to blood relatives, effectively severing their legal ties to their birth parents even if they continued to be raised by them.
Further amendments to the Adoption Law in 1998 lowered the minimum age for adoptive parents to 30 and broadened access to children in social welfare institutions for adoption. These changes were likely a governmental response to the rising instances of child abandonment and informal adoptions. To facilitate the process further, China also began permitting foreign adoptions.
In 1988, China began permitting foreign adoptions, initially restricting eligibility to those of Chinese descent or individuals with strong ties to the country. However, the reforms introduced in the 1991 Adoption Law marked a significant shift, centralising and streamlining the process for cross-border adoptions.
It is estimated that approximately 160,000 children have been adopted internationally, with around 82,000 of these adoptions occurring in the United States over the past thirty years; this figure does not account for adoptions from the early 1980s and 1990s. Despite this progress, China also faced a troubling rise in illegal baby and child trafficking networks operating from provincial capitals, targeting cross-border adoptions.
Tens of thousands of children were reportedly sold to orphanages each year for foreign adoption without the knowledge of prospective adopters. This illicit activity peaked in 2005, prompting China to impose stricter regulations on foreign adoptions through enhanced requirements in 2007 and again in 2015.
The one-child policy was abruptly terminated in 2016, resulting in various demographic challenges for China, including significant gender imbalance, a decline in the total fertility rate among females, and a growing tendency among the population to remain childless.
In response to these issues, the government has implemented new policies aimed at encouraging larger families. This shift is evident in the introduction of the two-child policy in 2016, followed by the three-child policy in 2021, and the provision of extended paid marriage leave to enhance fertility rates in 2023—an increase of 360 degrees from previous regulations.
Concurrently, additional measures have been enacted to address economic difficulties arising from these demographic changes. The inverted age structure, characterised by a rapidly increasing elderly population, has prompted recent decisions to raise the retirement age over the next five years. The decline in the working-age population, combined with rising youth unemployment, has emerged as a consequence of China’s family and economic planning strategies, particularly following the zero-COVID policy.
Estimates from 2019 indicated that the state pension fund could be depleted by 2035, alongside reductions in medical benefits for retirees, further complicating China’s situation amid a shrinking population and the slowest growth rate recorded in sixty years.
The ongoing fluctuations in China’s demographic statistics continue to illustrate the profound effects of the one-child policy and the nation’s urgent attempts to rectify its historical mistakes. The recent decision to halt foreign adoptions is yet another indication of China’s desperation to address its demographic challenges.
