Population
Society
China’s population turn: The start of long-term decline?
China’s latest population statistics show a fourth consecutive year in decline, with births falling to 7.92 million in 2025. A shrinking, ageing workforce is likely to constrain economic growth, but on the flipside, could a smaller population have its benefits? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May looks at both sides of the coin.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
24 Feb 2026
Society
The hidden crisis of China’s boom in premature births
Amid China’s decline in birth rate, there has been a rise in premature births. This has proven difficult for many new parents, who sometimes do not have the necessary funds or experience to deal with the associated challenges. Thankfully, there are avenues to get help.
Caixin Global
23 Jan 2026
Society
[Photos] ‘I’m not pitiful’: A migrant woman’s voice from Beijing
Photographer Zhou Na offers a glimpse into the life of Chen Enhua, or Sister Chen, a 57-year-old migrant worker from Sichuan province living and working in Beijing. Despite being widowed, earning little, and facing occupational health issues, the last thing Chen wants is pity from others.
Zhou Na
28 Feb 2025
Society
China’s youths fall out of love with marriage
Younger generations in China are increasingly shunning marriage, put off by the high costs of starting a family. To tackle the issue, the Chinese government may be better off focusing on boosting the sluggish economy, says Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu.
Yang Danxu
19 Feb 2025
Society
From ancient kings to modern incentives: China’s struggle to boost births
Faced with a declining population, China has implemented a series of measures to boost its birthrate. Academic Zhang Tiankan evaluates the effectiveness of these policies and discusses the factors that motivate and discourage marriage and childbirth.
Zhang Tiankan
19 Dec 2024
Society
[Big read] China’s underground surrogacy: Clash of wealth, ethics and tradition
The surrogacy industry in China is not out in the open, but it exists, providing services to those who are looking to have children through surrogates. Among the considerations are questions of blood ties and the ethics of getting a third party to give birth to a child. Lianhe Zaobao’s correspondent Li Kang speaks to couples and academics to get their take.
Li Kang
22 Nov 2024
Society
Can cash and coercion fix China’s demographic crisis?
Confronted with the issue of declining birth rates and marriages across the country, China has turned to rather unusual methods to encourage young people to marry and have children. Several of these methods, however, have proven to be very unpopular among netizens. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the issue.
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
14 Nov 2024
Economy
How China can meet its needs for food security and self-sufficiency
Analysing China’s recent directive on “big agriculture and big food”, researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May says that by embracing innovative practices, recycling food waste and engaging the private sector, China can improve its agricultural resilience.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
18 Oct 2024
Society
China’s delayed retirement plan might not work in some provinces
Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan assesses that the implementation of delayed retirement in China must be done in tandem with the improvement of people’s health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Only then can people obtain a longer life expectancy and enjoy a longer healthy life expectancy.
Zhang Tiankan
16 Oct 2024
Society
Can boosting immigration resolve China’s population crisis?
Lianhe Zaobao Beijing correspondent Sim Tze Wei takes a look at the measures China could take to alleviate its population crisis, such as delaying the retirement age and relaxing immigration policies, and whether they would prove effective.
Sim Tze Wei
12 Sep 2024
Society
What cultural identity challenges do Chinese children face in US adoptions?
US academic Wu Guo shares his observations on the challenges faced by Chinese children adopted by American parents, amid China’s recent announcement that it would no longer send children overseas for adoption. Insensitivity to racial and identity issues may be unintentional, but still just as difficult to bear for the adopted Chinese children involved.
Wu Guo
11 Sep 2024