Women shun Xi Jinping’s urging to have babies

News Snapshot:

The shrinking and ageing population worries Beijing because it is draining China of the working-age people it needs to power the economy. The demographic crisis, which arrived sooner than nearly anyone expected, is already straining weak and underfunded health care and pension systems. China hastened the problem with its one-child policy, which helped to push the birthrate down over several decades. The rule also created generations of young, only-child girls who were given an education and employment opportunities – a cohort that turned into empowered women who now view Beijing’s efforts as pushing them back into the home. President Xi...