In 1979, the One-child campaign was introduced. The goals of the program were to eliminate all…

In 1979, the One-child campaign was introduced. The goals of
the program were to eliminate all births above or equal to three per family and
to encourage most families, particularly in urban areas, to have no more than
one child. The Chinese government went to great lengths to ensure the success
of the one-child policy. Couples were supposed to get a birth permit before
conceiving. It was a familiar sight in China to see billboards advertising
birth control and the one-child goals. It was not unusual to hear of coercion,
abortions, and sterilizations being used to enforce the one-child

In 1979, the One-child campaign was introduced. The goals of
the program were to eliminate all births above or equal to three per family and
to encourage most families, particularly in urban areas, to have no more than
one child. The Chinese government went to great lengths to ensure the success
of the one-child policy. Couples were supposed to get a birth permit before
conceiving. It was a familiar sight in China to see billboards advertising
birth control and the one-child goals. It was not unusual to hear of coercion,
abortions, and sterilizations being used to enforce the one-child policy. Over
the years, though, many exceptions were permitted: Rural couples without boys
and ethnic minorities were allowed more than one child. Hong Kong and Macau
were exempt from the policy. Wealthy families avoided the law by going abroad to
give birth or by paying large fines.