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01-01-2026
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China's Pro-Natal Policies Spark Debate and Concern

Date: 01-01-2026
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | edition.cnn.com: 2 | foxnews.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: foxnews.com

Image content: The image shows an elderly woman carrying a baby in a wicker basket on her back. The woman is wearing a red jacket, and the baby is dressed in a cream-colored hooded outfit with a fuzzy hat. The background features tall buildings, trees, and signs with Chinese characters. Here is a concise 2-3 sentence description of the image: An

Summary

China is implementing policies aimed at boosting birth rates, including taxing contraceptives and exempting childcare services from value-added tax, amid concerns over an ageing population and sluggish economy. However, experts are divided on the effectiveness of these measures, and critics warn of unintended consequences such as reduced access to contraception and increased abortions.

Key Points

  • China is taxing contraceptives at 13% while exempting childcare services from VAT
  • The move is part of a broader effort to encourage young people to marry and have children
  • Experts are divided on the effectiveness of the policy, with some believing it is 'symbolic'
  • Critics warn of unintended consequences, including reduced access to contraception and increased abortions
  • China's low fertility rates are attributed to factors such as high childcare costs and a competitive academic environment

Articles in this Cluster

China's plan to boost birth rates with condom tax and cheaper childcare

01-01-2026

China is implementing a new tax policy aimed at boosting birth rates, which includes taxing contraceptives at 13% while exempting childcare services from value-added tax (VAT). The move is part of a broader effort to encourage young Chinese people to marry and have children, as the country faces an ageing population and sluggish economy. However, the tax on contraceptives has sparked concern about unwanted pregnancies and HIV rates. Experts are divided on the effectiveness of the policy, with some believing it is 'symbolic' and others thinking it won't impact birth rates significantly. The country's low fertility rates are attributed to various factors, including the high cost of raising children, a competitive academic environment, and the challenges women face in balancing work and parenting.
Entities: China, Beijing, Henan, Xi'an, Yunnan • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Ten years after it ended its ‘one-child’ policy, China’s push for more babies isn’t winning its citizens over | CNNClose icon

01-01-2026

Ten years after China ended its 'one-child' policy, the government's efforts to boost birth rates have been met with skepticism. Young people are hesitant to have more children due to financial concerns, high youth unemployment, and the burden of caring for aging parents. Despite various incentives, including cash bonuses and tax breaks, many feel that these measures do not address the root causes of the issue. The legacy of the 'one-child' policy has also led to a generation of siblingless children now responsible for caring for their elderly parents. China's demographic challenges have significant implications for its economy and military ambitions.
Entities: China, Beijing, Xi Jinping, United Nations, United States • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

Why China is making condoms and birth control pills more expensive | CNNClose iconClose iconClose icon

01-01-2026

China has increased the cost of condoms and birth control pills as part of a broader effort to reverse the country's declining birth rate, a decade after abandoning its one-child policy. The move is seen as a counterintuitive step, as making contraceptives more expensive may not directly encourage people to have more children. China's policymakers are struggling to boost the birth rate, and the article explores the reasoning behind this decision and its potential implications.
Entities: China, Beijing, Simone McCarthy, CNN, one-child policy • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform

China's contraceptive tax begins amid severe population decline concerns | Fox News

01-01-2026

China has introduced a 13% value-added tax on contraceptives starting January 1, while exempting childcare services from the same tax, in an effort to boost births amid a severe population decline. The move has sparked backlash, with critics arguing it may not effectively increase birth rates and could lead to unintended consequences such as reduced access to contraception and increased abortions. Experts warn that the policy may disproportionately affect women and revive resentment towards the government's history of controlling reproductive decisions.
Entities: China, Beijing, India, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform