Dr Zhao Baige (vice-minister of the National Population and Family Planning Commission) said yesterday that there was a "very serious process" currently taking place regarding the review of China's infamous one-child policy. Her comments were typically tentative but the admission that the policy is under scrutiny from high level officials has been taken by many China-watchers to mean that a gradual relaxation of the rules could be on the cards. more ›

Image of algae in pond by Wandering in China. more ›

A Xinhua report dated Jan 11 tells us of a problem we all knew was bound to happen — that there will be MANY lonely Chinese men in the years to come. more ›

Newlyweds generally don't need an excuse to jump into the sack, but if they do, Shanghaiist has got a great one … excuse, that is. From our favorite hometown paper, Shanghai Daily: more ›

The video clip about Tong's case was "useful in helping us protect state secrets,'' the Sichuan Population and Family Planning Commission said in a July 31 statement on its Web site. more ›

After seeing this story on the Chinese legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, deciding not to criminalize sex-selective abortion, Shanghaiist was admittedly surprised that this practice had not actually already been outlawed. Turns out that currently, selective abortion is only in violation of much less stringent family planning regulations which have no clear provisions for any sort of punishment. These regulations do have a significant effect on clinics practicing selective abortion, but still a very limited reach when it comes to individuals actually getting the abortions. Some of the reasons the lawmakers shied away from this decision are understandable: more ›

The People's Daily reports that nearly one-fifth of Shanghai residents use condoms, which puts us atop the country's prophylactic leaderboard. And Shanghaiist likes it on top! more ›