read article here. this is just a sad read... even the policy exemptions, though adjusted for the good, don't sound very right, too awkward. i certainly am in no position to judge any country's policies (i do understand their reasons for having to do this), and i don't intend to. but it's still sad to see how a precious child's life is exchanged almost like a commodity, almost as though it's easily replaceable.
some quotes from the article:
"... the country's one-child policy exempts families with a child killed, severely injured or disabled in the country's devastating earthquake. Those families can obtain a certificate to have another child...."
"... couples who have more than one child are commonly punished by fines. The announcement says that if a child born illegally was killed in the quake, the parents will no longer have to pay fines for that child - but the previously paid fines won't be refunded."
"If the couple's legally born child is killed and the couple is left with an illegally born child under the age of 18, that child can be registered as the legal child - an important move that gives the child previously denied rights including free nine years of compulsory education."
