IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

Reducing unplanned pregnancies: A new initiative in China

On 28 January, China Family Planning Association published a report titled “Key Points of Work of the China Family Planning Association in 2022” on its official website. It outlined a “campaign of intervention” to reduce unplanned pregnancies among adolescents and unmarried women. On 11 February, Global Times reported that “the report aimed to protect national fertility and public health by preventing unwilling and unexpected pregnancies, rather than forcibly banning abortions.” 

The report covers twelve points main points of the China Family Planning Association 2022. The highlight is article nine of the report which talks about “solidly promote reproductive health services.” It explains that special measures would be taken to reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions among adolescents. It also intends to deliver “sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world.”

The importance of sex education
The new policy promises to bring in projects, training, and courses promoting and educating the youth about reproductive healthcare. According to Wang Pei’an, a former top official in China’s family planning bureaucracy explained that the reproductive health problems among adolescents damage the physical and mental health leading to “pose a major threat to national population security and future national competitiveness,” reported Wall Street Journal. 

The ying-yang of the new initiative
With the new development, the association plans to promote sex education, crackdown the illegal abortion clinics, and increase the accessibility of contraception to young people. This measure can be considered as a way out of China’s distorted demographic patterns in the coming years. Beijing has the largest abortion rate in Asia and new policies will navigate China’s future demographic ratio and population. 

The new policy details remain ambiguous as far as unmarried pregnant women are concerned. In China, single mothers are denied the benefits that are rightly eligible for pregnant women. The marriage certificate is a necessity in public hospitals in China for routine checkups and child delivery. This pushes unmarried women out of choices. Due to the lack of support from the government, unmarried women are forced to terminate their pregnancies. 

China’s demographic challenge
The new initiative is a measure to avoid unwanted pregnancies and abortions. In 1991, 14 million abortions were performed in China after the government enforced the one-child policy. In 2020, the number dropped to just below nine million. China is well aware of the demographic challenge but the rapid speed of an aging population and decline in birth rate will paralyze China in the coming years. The association plans to tackle the problem by deeply reforming National Family Planning, building on the culture of marriage and childbirth, pre and postnatal care guidance, and educating the youth on reproductive health. 

References:
“China Tries to Dial Back Its High Abortion Rate,” Wall Street Journal, 11 February 2022
“China’s family planning roadmap aimed at protecting national fertility, not banning abortion: experts,” Global Times, 11 February 2022
“China’s family planning agency says it will ‘intervene’ in abortions for unmarried women, teens,” South China Morning Post, 11 February 2022
“The key points of work issued by the China Family Planning Association: In 2022, a special action for artificial abortion intervention for unmarried people will be launched,” muyingjie.com, 10 February 2022

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Foreign Ministry responds to International Labor Organization’ committee report 
On 14 February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated that there was no discrimination against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang after the International Trade Union Confederation cited a report by a committee of the International Labor Organization which expressed concern regarding the State’s policies in the region. Wang Wenbin responded to the claims and said: “The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of workers' rights and interests, protects the equal right to employment of workers of all ethnic groups, and ensures their equal right to participate in economic and social life and enjoy the achievements of economic and social development.” (“No employment discrimination against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang: Chinese FM,” Global Times, 15 February 2022)

Global Times declares Beijing Winter Games as the “most gender-balanced”
On 14 February, Global Times reported that Beijing  Olympics 2022 is the most “gender-balanced Winter Olympics Games ever in history.” At Beijing, more than 1,300 female athletes participated marking a record pf 45 per cent at the Games. Winter Games spokesperson Yan Jiarong said that the women are better represented at the Winter Games “solidifies women’s role in holding up half the sky on the sports stage,” reported Global Times. IOC Presidential Spokesperson Mark Adams also made a statement saying that we should not take away opportunities from athletes on the basis of their age rather provide support for athletes. (“Beijing Winter Olympics most gender-balanced Winter Games ever,” Global Times, 14 February 2022)

REGIONAL
Taiwan joins the US and Australia in WTO case against China
On 15 February, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou announced that Taiwan had joined hands with the US and Australia and supported the European Union trade case against China at the World Trade Organization. China has been accused of using discriminatory practices against Lithuania and threatening the integrity of the EU’s market. Joanne said: “China's economic coercion has violated international economic and trade norms and should not be tolerated.” (“Taiwan joins WTO case against China over Lithuania,” The Strait Times, 15 February 2022)

China firmly opposes US Indo-Pacific Strategy on Taiwan-related content
On 14 February, Chinese mainland spokesperson expressed opposition against the Taiwan-related content in US Indo-Pacific Strategy. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that the content has “gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, violated the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” reported Xinhua. The spokesperson urged US to abide by the one-China policy and not to collude with “Taiwan Independence” forces. (“Chinese mainland opposes Taiwan-related content in "U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy",” Xinhua Net, 14 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
China urges member countries of the UN to improve on peacekeeping operations 
On 14 February, the deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Dai Bing attended the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and urged the member countries to improve the operations. Dai said: “While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on, unilateralism, the Cold War mentality and bullying are also on the rise, leading to more challenges in the field of international peace and security there is a need to continue to improve UN peacekeeping operations and better leverage their role.” He also emphasized the importance of the African Union and its role in resolving the conflicts in the African continent. (“Chinese envoy calls for further improvement of UN peacekeeping,” Xinhua Net, 15 February 2022)

Chinese Foreign Ministry claims that the mission in Ukraine is working normally
On 14 February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed a press briefing and announced that the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was functioning as per usual. He also called for all countries involved in the rising tensions to avoid further escalation of tensions and react rationally. He said: “The Chinese Embassy in Ukraine issued a reminder instructing local Chinese nationals and institutions to pay close attention to the situation in Ukraine and enhance security awareness.” “Chinese diplomatic mission in Ukraine working normally: Chinese FM,” Global Times, 14 February 2022)

China and France signs fourth round of demonstration projects
On 14 February, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced that China and France signed the fourth round of demonstration projects on the third-party cooperation with an investment of more than 1.7 billion dollars. The NDRC said that China-France cooperation will focus on basic infrastructure construction, energy, equipment building and the internet. According to NDRC, Beijing and Paris have managed to tackle the impact of pandemic and successfully completed the batch of projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central and Eastern Europe. (“China, France sign new demonstration projects on third-party markets,” Global Times, 14 February 2022)

Ethiopia inaugurates the new headquarters of the Commercial Bank constructed by China
On 14 February, Global Times reported that Ethiopia inaugurated a 209.15 meter-tall landmark at the heart of capital city. The new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa was constructed by7 China State Construction Engineering Corporation. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said “This very modern skyscraper will serve our generation and beyond in a view to address emerging advancements in the banking sector as well as future expectations, ” reported China.org. PM Ahmed further added that, “The learning endeavor during our stay with our Chinese colleagues has been another milestone.” (“Tallest building in East Africa built by Chinese enterprises completed,” Global Times, 14 February 2022; “Ethiopia inaugurates Chinese-built landmark building in capital,” China.org.cn, 15 February 2022)