Is China planning to reverse feminism to save their declining population?

During the 13th National Congress of Chinese Women Chinese leader Xi Jinping inferred that China can improve the declining population growth by pushing back on women’s rights and gender issues that have caused women to pursue careers instead of prioritize marriage and creating families.

With a record low of 9.56 million live births in 2022, a 10% drop from the previous year, China is facing the first decline in population growth in over six decades. To address the issue of the population decline Xi Jinping emphasized the need to actively cultivate a new culture of marriage and childbearing, as well as strengthen guidance on young people’s views on marriage, childbirth, and family.

He also called for the improvement and implementation of fertility support policies, and the promotion of population development with a focus on quality.

The statement made by Xi Jinping regarding “preventing and resolving risks in the women’s field” has been interpreted by analysts as an official recognition that women’s rights and gender issues are a political risk that must be addressed.

Women’s rights and gender issues are a political risk that must be addressed.