Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the crucial role of women in society and called for the establishment of a “new trend of family” in response to China’s aging population and declining birth rate. President Xi’s remarks were published on Monday by state news agency Xinhua, following discussions with the new leadership team of the All China Women’s Federation, which operates under the Communist Party.
President Xi highlighted that women’s work is not only important for their own development but also for the overall harmony and progress of families, society, and the nation. He urged for the active cultivation of a new culture surrounding marriage and childbearing, as well as the strengthening of guidance regarding young people’s perspectives on these matters.
Numerous factors, such as high childcare costs, career obstacles, gender discrimination, and a decline in the desire to get married, have contributed to the reluctance of many young Chinese women to have children. Additionally, official policies make it challenging for single women to become mothers, further linking the number of births to marriage rates.
China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported the country’s first population drop in six decades in January, highlighting the rapid aging of the population. In response, various measures have been implemented across China over the past two years, including financial incentives and improvements to childcare facilities, to boost the birth rate.
State media frequently emphasizes the link between population development and the strength and “rejuvenation” of the country. These efforts to address the declining birth rate are crucial for sustaining China’s future population and ensuring its societal and economic stability.
This article was reported by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom and edited by Barbara Lewis.
