Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BEIJING2808, CARROTS AND STICKS IN CHINA'S ENFORCEMENT OF FAMILY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09BEIJING2808.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09BEIJING2808 | 2009-09-30 08:49 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Beijing |
VZCZCXRO7743
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2808/01 2730849
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300849Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6297
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2222
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIJING 002808
STATE FOR PRM/POP
STATE ALSO FOR DRL/PHD, IO/D, DRL, EAP/PD, AND EAP/CM
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI KPAO KPOP TBIO CH
SUBJECT: CARROTS AND STICKS IN CHINA'S ENFORCEMENT OF FAMILY
PLANNING POLICY
REF: A) BEIJING 2795 B) BEIJING 2187 C) STATE 77549
D) 07 STATE 2855 E) 07 GUANGZHOU 589 F) 07 GUANGZHOU 608
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Beijing experts on family planning assert that
China's family planning efforts have broadened beyond population
targets and include a number of programs and strategies emphasizing
a more incentive-based and service-oriented approach. Targets
remain, however, as do heavy financial and administrative penalties
for unauthorized or 'out-of-plan' births, while structural
incentives in the family planning monitoring and evaluation system
may also trigger coercive enforcement in some regions. At the same
time, the Central Government has instituted a number of rural social
subsidy programs, which include monthly stipends and other
preferential benefits for those who meet family planning
regulations. The government is making efforts to improve the
accessibility and quality of family planning and reproductive health
services, particularly for migrants, as well as making it possible
for migrants to comply with family planning regulations without
burdensome travel. END SUMMARY
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS CONTINUE
-------------- ------------------
¶2. (SBU) China's family planning policies are implemented at the
provincial level and both regulations and the degree to which they
are enforced vary. A key part of enforcement is a financial
penalty, called a "social compensation fee," for unauthorized
births. These 'out-of-plan' births include having too many
children, having children out-of-wedlock, early-age childbirth, or
having another child before the end of a mandated birth spacing
period.
¶3. (SBU) In a July 30 meeting with ESTHOff, the United Nations
Population Fund's (UNFPA) Deputy Representative Mariam Khan
explained that because social compensation fees are stipulated in
the 2002 National Family Planning Law, they are seen by local family
planning officials as irrevocable unless the law is amended or
replaced. Khan noted, however, that the implementation of these
fees is left up to local authorities, so the fee structure, the
violations that incur them and the degree and method of enforcement
varies by province and even by county. Social compensation fees are
generally set as a multiple of average annual disposable or gross
income in that area, with different formulas for different
violations. The burden on a couple can be much greater than the
fine alone, since additional disciplinary measures may include loss
of government subsidized health benefits, job loss or demotion, loss
of promotion opportunity, expulsion from the Communist Party, and
other administrative punishments.
¶4. (SBU) The flexibility permitted in fee structures used means the
seriousness of financial penalties varies widely across locations.
Social compensation fees are levied per person so both the husband
and wife must pay. Current Beijing family planning regulations
stipulate that for the first out-of-plan child, each person must pay
three to ten times Beijing's average per capita disposable income of
the previous year, or three to ten times his or her own actual
disposable income, whichever is higher (NOTE: Disposable income is
calculated for China's urban areas only and is a person's gross
annual income minus income tax, contributions to social security,
and other compulsory expenditures. END NOTE). For a second
unauthorized child the fine basis is doubled. The per person fine
for an out-of-wedlock birth in Beijing is equal to the annual
average per capita disposable income, while a birth spacing
violation incurs a fine of 20 percent of the annual average per
capita disposable income.
¶5. (SBU) Hunan Province revised their regulations in September 2007,
increasing the per person social compensation fee for the first
unauthorized birth from two times the provincial annual average per
capita gross income or the person's actual annual gross income,
whichever is higher, to a range of two to six times that income.
(NOTE: Hunan Province does not calculate for disposable income as
Beijing does. END NOTE) In Hunan, the basis for the fine for a
second out-of-plan child is triple that of the first unauthorized
birth.
¶6. (SBU) UNFPA's Khan told ESTHOffs that UNFPA is making progress in
encouraging the relaxation of social compensation fees. Khan said
that UNFPA's strategy is to work within the provisions of the
National Family Planning Law to minimize the impact of the fees in
the drafting of regulations at the local level. Among UNFPA's 30
project counties (one in each province and municipality), 12
counties have already agreed to adopt the lowest fines permitted by
the provincial regulations. UNFPA is also working with counties to
BEIJING 00002808 002 OF 005
remove certain categories of violations. For example, 20 of the 30
project counties have removed birth spacing requirements, and
therefore the associated fees. Thirteen provinces across China have
eliminated birth spacing requirements altogether. Khan further
noted that UNFPA is working toward eliminating the practice of
penalizing out-of-wedlock births by encouraging family planning
officials to address that issue through improved premarital and
adolescent reproductive health education, instead of through
punitive measures. According to Khan, current family planning
services and campaigns that provide contraceptive information are
targeted primarily at married couples.
¶7. (SBU) Social compensation fees have been reported in the press as
a social justice issue. The media have carried articles criticizing
the fact that wealthy and famous couples in China are able to have
more children by simply paying the fines, or going overseas to have
a second child. A June 2009 article in an international newspaper
cited that between 2001 and 2008, nearly 78,000 babies were born in
Hong Kong to parents registered as living on the Mainland. Family
planning authorities have also complained publicly that their
policies are being undermined by China's growing middle and upper
classes, who, in many cases do not rely on government largess and
therefore are less likely to feel burdened when paying existing
penalties. The former Minister of the National Population and
Family Planning Commission (NPFPC) ZHANG Weiqing was described as
saying there is "a huge shadow over the policy" and "growing
resentment among poorer families" due to this phenomenon. Local
officials have attempted to address this issue by increasing fines
for the wealthy and taking other measures targeted at their
reputations. For example, in Beijing, individuals can be banned
from winning national awards or can be publicly named in the media
for violations, even if they have paid the requisite fees.
COERCIVE ENFORCEMENT IN SOME LOCALITIES
----------- --------------- -----------
¶8. (SBU) Although "abusive" enforcement of family planning policies
is prohibited under the 2002 Population and Family Planning Law,
according to Peking University (PKU) Population Studies professors
CHEN Gong and MU Guangzong, there are aspects of current family
planning practice and management that could exacerbate coercive
enforcement. NPFPC reported to ESTHOffs recently that since 2006,
they have revised the evaluation criteria of family planning
officials to focus more on customer satisfaction, with attention
paid to "client needs" and "human rights". However, population
targets are still a performance indicator for local family planning
officials. In a July 24 meeting, Chen and Mu told ESTHOffs that
China's system of setting successive targets from the highest level
of government down to the lowest creates enormous added pressure on
local officials. As the two scholars explained, in setting targets
for low population growth or low birth rates, each level of
government sets a target for the lower level that gives them a
comfortable buffer for achieving their own target, resulting in the
targets becoming more extreme and difficult to achieve at the lowest
levels. Mu and Chen note that this requires local family planning
officials to come up with "new schemes" to try and reach their
targets, which may include special incentive programs, but could
also include coercive measures. In addition, Mu and Chen
speculated, this system has resulted in local officials aggressively
pursuing low birth rates without considering long term demographic
consequences, for example, the extremely low fertility rates of
around 1.2 in some areas.
¶9. (SBU) Certain monitoring and enforcement practices force couples
to choose either to have an induced abortion or pay the heavy
financial and administrative penalties associated with an
out-of-plan birth. Many localities require regular pregnancy
testing for women of child bearing age who are not eligible to have
more children. (NOTE: The pregnancy check or reproductive health
check-up is a common practice, especially in localities with
population pressure. Local officials sometimes conduct the
check-ups under the name of "providing family planning services."
END NOTE.) In several provinces, including Anhui, Hebei,
Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jilin, Liaoning, and Ningxia, local
family planning regulations explicitly call for the "termination of
pregnancy" upon discovery of an unauthorized pregnancy, without
additional guidance on how to enforce this rule.
¶10. (SBU) Although most sources agree that there are probably cases
of coercive local family planning enforcement that violate the law,
it is very difficult to find reports or documentation of such abuses
unless they have occurred on a large scale. One prominent case of
coercive enforcement was reported in 2007 in Guangxi Province, where
alleged abuses by local officials triggered a series of riots (REFS
D/E/F). According to press reports at the time, Bobai County
BEIJING 00002808 003 OF 005
officials, facing administrative penalties for their poor family
planning performance, launched a campaign to reign in excess births
with "steely determination, steely methods and steely discipline"
against violators. The mayor of one city in Bobai was also quoted
as calling for the stabilization of the low birth rate "by all means
necessary." The new regulations and penalties that were reported by
the local media included much higher fines, seizure of property
including furniture, livestock, and rice stores if fines were not
paid, and targeted sterilization. Family planning teams were also
reported to have destroyed personal property and homes in the
process of collecting fines. Press coverage further noted that
resentment over these measures was heaped on top of public anger at
the double standard of local officials who over time had elected to
have excess children with impunity. Following the riots, NPFPC
issued an official statement that said they were investigating the
case of Bobai County and would "deal with" the situation. In
January 2008, Chinese media reported that 104 Bobai County officials
had been dismissed from their positions, due to personal violations
of family planning regulations including having had unauthorized
children. None of the dismissals, however, were directly attributed
to malfeasance in enforcement of family planning regulations.
(COMMENT: The fact that this case was reported in the state-owned
and state-controlled media signals that there was high-level
government or Party dissatisfaction with Bobai County officials for
allowing family planning enforcement to trigger social unrest. END
COMMENT)
SHIFT TOWARDS INCENTIVES FOR COMPLIANCE
-------------------- ------------------
¶11. (SBU) An important shift in family planning enforcement since
2006 has been the diversification of methods for achieving family
planning objectives. In his work report to the National People's
Congress (NPC) in March 2008, Premier Wen Jiabao emphasized the
expansion of rewards and subsidies, noting, "we will fully implement
the special assistance system for families that comply with family
planning regulations, extend the coverage of the reward system for
rural families that comply with the regulations, implement the
'fewer births equals faster prosperity' project in more areas, and
raise the level of rewards and assistance." Targeting poor rural
areas, these national subsidy programs, or "Three Systems to Improve
People's Livelihood" are seen as offering both positive incentives
for complying with family planning policies and a means of
supporting a rural social security system.
¶12. (SBU) Within China's family planning regulatory framework, the
broadest and longest-standing subsidy is the Social Support Program,
in which individuals who have complied with family planning policies
(by having borne only the allowed number of children) receive a
monthly cash stipend beginning at age 60 for both men and women.
This stipend is seen as both a reward for compliance with family
planning rules and an extra resource for supporting rural old-age
social security. (NOTE: In rural areas, where the elderly rely
primarily on their families for care and support, this social
support compensates couples who have had one child for the loss of
resources they might traditionally have received from their many
children. END NOTE) Piloted in 2004, this basic subsidy was
implemented nationally in 2006. By the end of 2008, 8.33 million
individuals had qualified for this subsidy, with a total of RMB 5.2
billion (USD 761.5 million) in rewards distributed. Beginning in
January 2009, the amount of the social subsidy payment increased
from RMB 600 (USD 88) per person per year to RMB 720 (USD 105).
(NOTE: According to the government's annual Statistical Communique,
in 2008, China's annual per capita net income for rural households
was RMB 4,761 (USD 697), with over 40 million rural Chinese living
below the poverty line with an annual per capita net income below
RMB 1,196 (USD 175). Since the family planning social subsidy is
awarded to each person individually, a couple qualifying for the
award would receive a combined RMB 1,440 (USD 210) per year, which
would represent a sizeable proportion of a rural household income.
END NOTE) Deputy Director General RU Xiaomei of NPFPC's
International Cooperation Department told ESTHOffs during a July 31
meeting that there have been proposals to move up the eligibility
for receiving rewards to age 50, to further sweeten the incentive.
¶13. (SBU) Another subsidy program, known as the "Fewer Births
Equals Faster Prosperity" program, is aimed at giving poor rural
families who have fewer children than they are entitled an economic
boost through incentives, such as lump sum cash awards, loans to
invest in income-generating activities, or free job training. The
program now includes eight provinces and autonomous regions in
western China including Inner Mongolia, Hainan, Sichuan, Yunnan,
Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang. In 2008, the government
expanded the scope of the program's target group from "couples who
BEIJING 00002808 004 OF 005
can have three children but voluntarily have one child less" to
"couples who can have three children but voluntarily have one child
or two children less," offering greater awards and an earlier
opportunity for eligibility, and an added incentive for those
households in poor western provinces to limit their family size. A
precondition for this subsidy is that couples must submit a written
"commitment," or contract, that they will not have more children, as
well as submit documentation from a hospital or family planning
clinic that sterilization or some other long-term contraceptive
method has been carried out. Between 2006 and 2008, the program
enrolled 280,000 individuals with a total of RMB 840 million (USD
123 million) in rewards disbursed. If a couple in the program is
found to have an additional child they must pay back all benefits
received.
¶14. (SBU) The most recently-established social subsidy, known as the
"Special Assistance Program," is awarded to parents in cases where
their only child has suffered a serious disability or death.
Initially piloted in 10 provinces, implementation of the special
assistance program was extended nationally starting in 2008. The
assistance fund is RMB 80-100 per person per month after the mother
reaches age 49. The theory is that the subsidy will help support
parents whose child is rendered unable to work or provide for his
parents in old age; thus, couples who later give birth to or adopt
another child lose eligibility for the reward. By the end of 2008,
this special subsidy has assisted about 157,000 couples and
distributed RMB 170 million (USD 25 million) in assistance funds.
IMPROVING SERVICES AND ACCESS FOR MIGRANT WOMEN
------------------------ ----------------------
¶15. (SBU) Peking University (PKU) Professor CHEN Gong told ESTHOffs
that an important shift beginning in 2008 was an increased emphasis
on equality in the provision of family planning services, including
a special focus on making basic family planning services, such as
regular gynecological examinations, prenatal checkups, and
postpartum visits, more freely available to rural and migrant women.
At a national conference on rural family planning work in December
2007, then NPFPC Minister ZHANG Weiqing released findings that over
60 percent of family planning violations were committed by the
migrant population, highlighting the Central Government's concerns
over the lack of a system for managing family planning among
migrants. Migrants also have been reported to receive unsafe or
poor quality services because of their inability to access free
public services near their place of temporary residence. In his
2008 work report to the NPC, Premier Wen emphasized the twin goals
to "improve services for the floating population and to tighten
supervision of them to ensure that they comply with the family
planning policy."
¶16. (SBU) The State Council recently released a new set of national
family planning regulations for the migrant population, to become
effective October 1, 2009. The new regulations make family planning
services including reproductive health information and services,
contraceptive devices, and family planning technical services
available and free to migrants in their temporary residences.
Previously, migrants were often forced to return to the place of
their legal household registrations (hukou) to receive services.
(NOTE: China's "hukou" system limits the ability of many of Chinese
citizens to access public services in places other than the
government-authorized place where their household is registered.
Changing this location on record is time consuming and difficult,
and most of the 100+ million migrant workers in China have simply
chosen to forgo access to services in exchange for better employment
opportunities. END NOTE)
¶17. (SBU) In addition to basic services, the new regulation
specifically allows migrants to register for the "birth service
certificate" (REF A) of a first child (which can now be obtained
after conception but is required in order to receive access to free
or subsidized prenatal care and delivery services) in their place of
temporary residence, easing the burden on migrants who previously
had to make a long and expensive journey back home to register.
Migrants still have to return to their original hukou location to
apply for permission to have a second child, unless before migrating
they had already obtained permission from family planning
authorities in their hometowns. Babies born are still registered as
residents of their parents' official hukou location, with migrant
status from birth.
¶18. (SBU) The new regulation also establishes communications
channels between family planning authorities at both the temporary
residence and at registered "hukou" locations. The regulation
specifically prohibits authorities from requiring migrants to return
to their hometowns for check-ups on contraceptive and pregnancy
BEIJING 00002808 005 OF 005
status, stating that these regular pregnancy tests for monitoring
unauthorized pregnancy should be conducted at the place of temporary
residence. The results would later be reported back to the
hometowns by the family planning officials who administer them.
(COMMENT: In addition to providing a mechanism for local family
planning officials to manage and monitor practices among migrants,
officials in each location ("hukou" and temporary) would likely use
this system to exchange information on a migrant's compliance
record. END COMMENT)
A NEW FOCUS: CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COUNSELING
------------- ------------------------------
¶19. (SBU) NPFPC's DDG Ru explained to ESTHOffs that in addition to
increasing the accessibility of basic family planning services for
migrants, the government is also taking steps to improve the quality
of family planning service delivery mechanisms by adding social
workers to local family planning teams, which currently include only
administrative and medical staff. According to Ru, the social
workers are expected to go beyond providing technical services.
Social workers will play a "guidance" and "counseling" role and
provide family planning advice, including information about
contraceptives.
¶20. (SBU) Like PKU's Chen and Mu, Khan also noted China's growing
emphasis on quality of care and service. Khan described UNFPA's
work in advocacy and capacity building for informed choice over
birth control methods. According to Khan, the choice of
contraceptive method in China is traditionally determined by family
planning officials. Under the model UNFPA is working to implement,
couples should be provided at least three options for birth control,
with the pros and cons of each method clearly explained before the
couple is asked to make a choice. Khan argued that both penalties
for unauthorized births and financial incentives for limiting family
size are only short term solutions to family planning. Khan noted
these policies also should follow a rights-based approach that
emphasizes greater awareness of options and the consequences of
different choices.
¶21. (SBU) Khan also told ESTHOffs that a related objective of
UNFPA's work in improving quality of service delivery is to increase
the range and flexibility of intervention options that family
planning officials pursue. A complicating factor in this effort is
that, at the county level, family planning falls under the Civil
Administration Bureau, so the officials in charge of implementing
service delivery often have an administrative rather than a public
health background. To promote a more rights-based approach to
family planning work that goes beyond low fertility rate targets,
Khan said UNFPA is raising awareness of the consequences of
extremely low fertility rates and is also working with NPFPC on
their current review and reform of management and evaluation
indicators.
COMMENT
-------
¶22. (SBU) COMMENT: While enforcement of family planning in China
continues to include punitive and coercive measures, since 2006, the
government has attempted to improve enforcement and compliance with
birth limitation restrictions by offering more positive incentives.
Reward and subsidy programs have been effective in increasing
compliance and participation in family planning among poor rural
households. China's growing affluence has resulted in increasing
numbers who can afford to freely make family planning decisions in
spite of existing penalties. Additional work on revising the
overall evaluation structure for family planning performance
remains, however, so that it does not create perverse incentives for
forceful and abusive enforcement of family planning rules.
Citizens' rights in this area, as well as more serious and even
criminal penalties against those who violate them, have yet to be
clearly defined at the central level. END COMMENT.
HUNTSMAN