A Heated Debate on the "New Population Strategy"

The main contents of The Great Debate on the "New Population Strategy" ^[1] are as follows: Concurrent with the glorious achievements in economic and social development since the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 30-odd years of Reform and Opening-up, as well as the successful implementation of the family planning policy, the population situation in our country has undergone vast changes. On the basis of a massive and still-growing total population, both the birth rate and the population growth rate have fallen to low levels. The population structure has also undergone significant transformation.

Should we advocate for a "New Population Strategy of First Controlling, Then Reducing," or should we advocate for a birth policy that opens up the "two-child" ^[2] option? How should our country’s current population policy be adjusted? The "Chinese Economic and Social Development Think Tank Council"—led by the Center for Economic and Social Development Research under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), which was identified as the "Number One Think Tank in Asia and China" by the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report published in the United States, and composed of ten key universities—convened a forum on this strategic issue and compiled this collection of contending views. We invite you to examine the wisdom and fierce debates of these renowned scholars and experts!