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China: Family Planning Policy

Answer

United Kingdom assistance for reproductive health programmes is provided in support of the principles of free and informed choice set out at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 and re-affirmed in various international forums since. These principles reject coercion in matters relating to child bearing and reproduction. DfID assistance, through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is helping to promote non-coercive approaches to family planning in line with the ICPD plan of action. In recent years there have been some positive changes to China's population policy in recognition and compliance with the ICPD principles on people's reproductive rights and choices. This was reflected in the new population law issued in 2002. The UNFPA's work in the areas of reproductive health and family planning, and gender equity and ageing has helped local governments in China to pilot non-coercive approaches to family planning. In the UNFPA programme counties, birth targets and quotas have been abolished, and abortion and sterilisation rates, along with maternal mortality, have dropped significantly. DfID is also supporting the State Council AIDS Working Committee Office to strengthen its strategic capacity. The State Family Planning Commission (SFPC) is a member of this committee, and this support will enable it better to play its role in raising HIV and AIDS awareness. The Government believe that this work is important and that the UNFPA's sustained engagement in support of reform is a positive force for change and should continue.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

585; 672 c195-6WA

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Development aid China Family planning