China should be congratulated on their attempt to control population. The one child policy has, of course, raised problems, but estimates by the family planning minister are that 400 million births have been prevented, and that the population will peak at 1.6 billion before stabilizing. We consider the policy draconian, but it was necessary.
The policy is enforced most strongly in urban areas; two children are permitted in many rural areas, but with added tax in some, and allowance for two children in ethnic groups with small birth rates.

According to Minister Zhang, the policy will be adjusted in ten years; the percentage of older people will become a pressure on the system, and the problems of growth and globalism will require adjustments to meet needs. As more and more people adjust to 'middle class' lives, they will practice their own controls and less state intervention is necessary.

Our population in Europe and North America has stabilized as people have realized that birth control is necessary in our social system.