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Rich men challenge family planning policy
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-16 06:04
'More children, more choices'
Traditional Chinese values say the greater the number of offspring brings
greater happiness for a family. These values still run deep among wealthy
merchants and entrepreneurs in the country.
A young millionaire named Yu is fairly typical of those looking to create a
large family. He already has two daughters and a son, and yet dreams of adding
another baby boy.
"I respect China's traditional culture and values so it is natural for me I
have both fame and fortune to have a much larger family. This provides me with
real integrity and values," he said.
Yu is already thinking about his family's future after he has gone. "More
children means more choices, from which I will choose the most qualified heir to
look after my family property," Yu added.
"I already have three children and if I had three more children I'm
financially capable of raising them all. I can ensure them the best education,"
Yu proclaimed with self- confidence and contentment.
According to a survey by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), nearly 40 per cent of the respondents
said they wanted to have a second child.
Bigamist jailed
Some newly-rich people have other means to usher in their newborns. Back in
December 2003, when a millionaire, who started his business in Beijing
collecting and selling garbage, was jailed for 19 years for stealing electricity
from public power grids, another crime came to light bigamy. He had three wives,
who bore him six children.
The Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court said Qiao Baofeng, 33, a
farmer-turned-millionaire from Central China's Henan Province, was convicted of
stealing, bigamy and forging certificates.
Qiao bought apartments in the same building in Changping
District, north Beijing, for each of his three wives and lived with them in
turn. Police seized two fake official seals and five divorce certificates from
his office.
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