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| Higher Allowances for One-child Families Advocated |
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Jiusan Society, one of China's non-Communist parties, says higher family allowances should be offered to one-child families in Beijing to encourage birth control. The level of family allowances for Beijing's one-child families was set in late 1970s and needs to be updated, according to a survey conducted by the society's Beijing Municipal Committee. Parents with only one child currently receive a monthly allowance of 10 yuan (about US$1.25) until the child reaches 18. The allowance, introduced as an incentive for parents to exercise birth control, was about ten percent of people's monthly income thirty years ago. But the amount has remain unchanged while people's income has increased more than ten fold. "The allowance is less than one percent of their income at present," said Wang Guangzhou, a researcher with Jiusan's Beijing Municipal Committee, adding that it should be increased as a way of encouraging families to adhere to family planning policy. The survey shows that Beijing has about 1.45 million only-children under the age of 18 and 2.5 million under the age of 30. Wang said the allowance should be increased because only children shoulder a greater burden than those with siblings in supporting the family, and particularly need help in caring for the elderly. China's family planning policy, which went into force in 1973, has helped reduce the country's population by more than 400 million, but the country still faces a population surge. The population is expected to peak at 1.5 billion in 2033, according to estimates by the State Council. (Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2007) |
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