SHANGHAI — ‘We never planned this, but despite the problems we knew it would cause, we were over the moon,’ he said. ‘How much longer can the one-child policy last, anyway?’

When China introduced its drastic population controls, officials promised that it would lift them after 30 years – an anniversary which falls this weekend. Aware of the resentment the policy would cause, the government said it was a temporary measure in response to China’s high unemployment and food scarcity.

‘In 30 years, when our current extreme population growth eases, we can then adopt a different population policy,’ read the announcement from the Communist Party Central Committee.

But today, the one-child policy remains firmly in place and government officials cannot shake the idea that it has played an important role in China’s economic miracle.

With only one child to care for, parents have been able to save more money, enabling banks to make the loans that have funded China’s huge investments in infrastructure.

Meanwhile, officials claim the policy has conserved food and energy and allowed each child better education and healthcare.

‘We will continue the one-child policy until at least 2015,’ said the National Family Planning Commission earlier this year.

In his home in Beijing, Mr Yang, […]