§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will ascertain from the Government of China if the population and family planning law due to come into effect in China in September requires detailed population control quotas; and if she will make a statement. [72543]
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§ Clare ShortWe understand that the new Population and Family Planning Law in China, which is due to come into effect on 1 September this year, does not include detailed population quotas. The law sets out the rights and responsibilities of the state and individuals in the areas of reproductive health and family planning. Birth targets and quotas remain a feature of population policy in China, but we are supporting the work of the United Nations population fund which seeks to demonstrate to the Chinese authorities that a client-oriented quality of care approach is a viable alternative to the current administrative family planning approach. Birth targets and quotas have been removed in counties where UNFPA is operating.