Birth-control riots

Birth-control riots

Authorities in China's southern province of Guangdong have ordered birth-control officials to stop abusing power following several outbreaks of rioting over stiff fines, Chinese newspapers have reported.

They also warned officers not to destroy or confiscate property of offenders against China's one-child policy.

Riots have been reported in Gaozhou, Yunkai, in the past month. A government office was set ablaze, and birth-control officers were beaten. About 1000 police and paramilitary officers were reportedly sent to quell the clashes.

The latest trouble flared after a swoop in Zhaojiang county to check for families with more than one child and to ensure that women had been sterilised or fitted with an approved contraceptive device.

Residents there were said to be angry at the death of a woman who died after being fitted with a contraceptive device against her will.

Penalties for not obeying the rules range from losing one's job and housing to fines of up to 50,000 yuan — 13 times the average annual income.

From GLW issue 291