[Continuously do a good job in planned parenthood work and fulfill this year's population target].

Abstract

It has been a year since the CCP Central Committee issued an open letter to all CCP and CYL members on population control. In the past year, CCP and CYL members and the broad masses of people in our province have actively responded to the CCP Central Committee's call--1 child/couple. Over 1.7 million couples of childbearing age have applied for only-child certificates. Our province has scored great achievements in planned parenthood work. However, we must realize that new situations and new questions have arisen in planned parenthood work. 1st, the peak period of population growth in our province is from the late 1950s to the 1960s. Children born in this period are now entering the childbearing age. There soon will be a new peak population growth period. 2nd, because of the enactment of the new marriage law, the number of those married in the first 1/2 of this year doubled that of previous years. Responsibility systems in rural areas have pomoted development of productive forces. This is very good, but this has also stimulated population growth because people mistakenly think that more children mean more labor forces and more income. They begin to think of having more chidlren--especially sons. Some localities have lost control of population growth. The birth rate in rural areas has begun to climb quickly. If no measures are adopted immediately, our province's population will swell enormously. All the achievements scored in the 1970s will probably be spoiled, and we likely will again commit a historical error. As far as our province is concerned, planned parenthood is imperative. In 1949, our province's per capita farmland was 3 mu. At the end of 1980, it was only 1.49 mu. If no measures are adopted and the population keeps growing, the consequences will be serious.