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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Vietnam Ends Two-Child Policy to Tackle Falling Birth Rates
Vietnam has abolished its long-standing two-child policy to tackle concerns about declining birth and fertility rates. The National Assembly Standing Committee approved a new regulation lifting the restriction, permitting couples to freely choose the timing, number, and spacing of their children on Tuesday, state media reports. The fertility rate in Vietnam, Southeast Asia's third-most-populous nation, has fallen to 1.91 births per woman in 2024, according to the Vietnam General Statistics Office. This is well below the replacement threshold of 2.1 needed to maintain the population size. Vietnam introduced its two-child policy in 1988 to curb rapid population growth, when the average woman had more than four children. The law restricted most families to one or two children, with exceptions in special cases. Enforcement was stricter for Communist Party members, who faced penalties including warnings, reduced bonuses, or dismissal from positions for violations. Vietnam's decision to scrap its two-child policy followed a steady decrease in birth rates since 2022, when the fertility rate dropped to 2.01 and declined again to 1.93 in 2023. Health officials have expressed concern that the nation's population of nearly 100 million may begin to contract by mid-century. Authorities have also cited gender imbalances and the ongoing shift toward a "super-aged society," with projections that over 20 percent of Vietnamese will be age 65 or older by 2049. Under the new regulation, all families-regardless of Party membership-can now choose freely how many children to have and when. Vietnam's policy shift aligns with recent moves in other Asian countries also experiencing plunging fertility rates and rapid aging. China saw a slight uptick in its birth rate in 2024, attributed mainly to cultural factors such as the Year of the Dragon, despite wide-ranging pro-natal measures and the end of restrictive family policies. Meanwhile, the country's overall population has continued to shrink for the third consecutive year. Japan, facing a decades-long population decline and with nearly 30 percent of its population over age 65, is preparing to make childbirth free as early as April 2026. The Japanese government proposes that public health insurance cover all delivery costs nationwide, attempting to alleviate financial burdens on families. The United Nations Population Fund says: "Vietnam is in the period of population aging. The process of population aging is progressing rapidly, caused by mortality and fertility declines, and life expectancy at birth increase and that transition from an 'aging' to an 'aged' population will occur within just 20 years." The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is expected to submit a new population law to the National Assembly in 2025, aimed at sustaining fertility rates near replacement level while monitoring the ongoing demographic transition and the effects of the relaxed family planning rules. Related Articles Trump Business Booms Abroad Amid Ethics QuestionsUS Warship Challenged Beijing's South China Sea Claims, Navy SaysFull List of Trump's Foreign Real Estate Ventures Underway Around the WorldVideo Shows Moment Emmanuel Macron Pushed in Face by Wife 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Vietnam Ends Two-Child Policy to Tackle Falling Birth Rates
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Vietnam has abolished its long-standing two-child policy to tackle concerns about declining birth and fertility rates. The National Assembly Standing Committee approved a new regulation lifting the restriction, permitting couples to freely choose the timing, number, and spacing of their children on Tuesday, state media reports. Why It Matters The fertility rate in Vietnam, Southeast Asia's third-most-populous nation, has fallen to 1.91 births per woman in 2024, according to the Vietnam General Statistics Office. This is well below the replacement threshold of 2.1 needed to maintain the population size. Vietnam's Two-Child Policy: Origins and Purpose Vietnam introduced its two-child policy in 1988 to curb rapid population growth, when the average woman had more than four children. The law restricted most families to one or two children, with exceptions in special cases. Enforcement was stricter for Communist Party members, who faced penalties including warnings, reduced bonuses, or dismissal from positions for violations. What To Know Vietnam's decision to scrap its two-child policy followed a steady decrease in birth rates since 2022, when the fertility rate dropped to 2.01 and declined again to 1.93 in 2023. Health officials have expressed concern that the nation's population of nearly 100 million may begin to contract by mid-century. Authorities have also cited gender imbalances and the ongoing shift toward a "super-aged society," with projections that over 20 percent of Vietnamese will be age 65 or older by 2049. Under the new regulation, all families—regardless of Party membership—can now choose freely how many children to have and when. Vietnam's policy shift aligns with recent moves in other Asian countries also experiencing plunging fertility rates and rapid aging. A billboard campaigning for each family to have two children in an effort to improve the birth rate stands along the street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Jan. 14, 2024. A billboard campaigning for each family to have two children in an effort to improve the birth rate stands along the street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Jan. 14, 2024. AP China saw a slight uptick in its birth rate in 2024, attributed mainly to cultural factors such as the Year of the Dragon, despite wide-ranging pro-natal measures and the end of restrictive family policies. Meanwhile, the country's overall population has continued to shrink for the third consecutive year. Japan, facing a decades-long population decline and with nearly 30 percent of its population over age 65, is preparing to make childbirth free as early as April 2026. The Japanese government proposes that public health insurance cover all delivery costs nationwide, attempting to alleviate financial burdens on families. What People Are Saying The United Nations Population Fund says: "Vietnam is in the period of population aging. The process of population aging is progressing rapidly, caused by mortality and fertility declines, and life expectancy at birth increase and that transition from an 'aging' to an 'aged' population will occur within just 20 years." What Happens Next The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is expected to submit a new population law to the National Assembly in 2025, aimed at sustaining fertility rates near replacement level while monitoring the ongoing demographic transition and the effects of the relaxed family planning rules.
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT WINS TWO 2025 MINT DIRECTORS CONFERENCE COIN AWARDS
The Mint earns global industry recognition for a double-sided Extraordinarily High Relief pure silver coin celebrating the Year of the Dragon and its collaboration with McGill University on a more environementally responsible gold refining process OTTAWA, ON, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is delighted to have twice earned global recognition for its coin manufacturing execellence and innovation by winning the Best Commemorative Silver Coin and the Best Collaboration coin awards of the 2025 Mint Directors Conference (MDC). The Mint was first recognized for its 2024 $50 Pure Silver Coin – Year of the Dragon, a new technical achievement that enhances the relief of a stunning Wood Dragon design to an impressive height of 4.7 mm on the reverse and created a rear view of the dragon in an equally impressive obverse relief. As well, our partnership with the Department of Chemistry at Montreal's McGill University, to develop a more environmentally responsible gold refining process, was recognized as the global minting industry's best collaboration. The 2025 MDC is host to the prestigious Coin Awards, recognising industry achievements in the design, production, packaging, and distribution of commemorative and circulating coins worldwide. "The Royal Canadian Mint is passionate about innovating to keep demonstrating the excellence and artistry of our world-famous coin products, as well as the sustainability of our processes," said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "To be recognized in two award categories by the Mint Directors Conference judges is a tremendous peer endorsement of our commitment to finding new ways to delight our customers while finding more caring and sustainable ways to continue leading the global minting community." Designed by Canadian artist Simon Ng, our award-winning pure silver coin celebrates the Year of the Wood Dragon through an elaborate EHR engraving of a dragon, the fifth sign in the Chinese Zodiac. Framed by a laser-engraved pattern that represents the wood element, the dragon is shown moving among the clouds of a night sky illuminated by the moon, its tail coiled to form the shape of lucky number 8. A rear view of that same scene is rendered in EHR on the obverse. Above the obverse engraving appears the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, accompanied by a special device of four pearls symbolizing her four different effigies to have graced Canadian coins, as well as the double date of her reign. The goal of the Mint's work with McGill University is to transform gold refining by replacing the longstanding Miller Chlorination process, which relies on the injection of chlorine gas separate impurities from molten gold. Our collaboration has, at a lab scale, resulted in a process that eliminates chlorine gas almost entirely by introducing an acoustic mechanochemical process to catalyze a chemical reaction with a mild reagent. The process, which yields pure gold in soluble form is non-toxic and less energy-intensive, and is safer for people and the environment. This innovation builds on previous work done by the Mint in 2019 to reduce chlorine use in its gold refining operations. At that time, the Mint introduced acid-less separation (ALS) technology, that reduced the use of chlorine gas by more than 50% in the Ottawa refinery. Images and video of the 2024 Pure Silver Coin – Year of the Dragon can be found here. About the Royal Canadian Mint The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as well as Canada's prestigious military and civilian honours. As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver refining services. As an organization that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit Follow the Mint on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
South China Morning Post
09-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Spark Study Buddy (Challenger): Hong Kong births surge 11% in 2024
Content provided by British Council [1] The number of babies born in Hong Kong reached 36,700 last year, an 11 per cent jump from 2023, following the introduction of a government scheme that gives parents a HK$20,000 (US$2,570) cash handout for each newborn. The number of births grew for the second year in a row after an uptick in 2023. Still, the level was the third-lowest since data was first made available in 1961. [2] The Census and Statistics Department announced that the city's population rose by 0.1 per cent to just over 7.53 million. A government spokesman said the population grew for the third consecutive year. [3] Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the baby bonus scheme in his policy address in October 2023 as part of measures to tackle the low birth rate and encourage childbearing. The number of births fell to its lowest level in 2022, hitting 32,500, before climbing slightly to 33,200 births the following year. [4] Authorities earlier estimated that the annual number of births in the second and third financial years, 2024-25 and 2025-26, after the implementation of the scheme could reach 39,000 – a 20 per cent jump from 2022. The three-year scheme awards HK$20,000 in cash to all parents having babies from October 25, 2023, to October 24, 2026. [5] Population expert Paul Yip Siu-fai, chair professor of population health at the department of social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong, said the number of births last year would have fallen if the government had not provided any incentives. But it would be optimistic to expect the rise to continue this year, he argued. [6] 'The uptick of the figure last year was also related to the effect of the Year of the Dragon. Some people [may even have had] babies earlier than they planned,' he said. 'In the past, the number of births in the Year of Snake was fewer than the number in the Year of Dragon.' [7] In Chinese culture, the Year of the Dragon is regarded as the most auspicious for childbirth because the mythical creature symbolises might and intelligence. The Year of the Snake follows the Year of Dragon. From 1961 to 2023, Hong Kong experienced five Dragon Years. In four of the five, the number of births in the Year of the Snake was lower. Source: South China Morning Post, February 18 Questions 1. Find three words in paragraph 1 that have a similar meaning to 'increase'. (3 marks) 2. What is the purpose of the baby bonus scheme mentioned in paragraph 3? 3. According to paragraph 4, when does the baby bonus scheme end? 4. According to paragraph 5, the number of births last year would have … without government incentives. A. stayed the same B. increased significantly C. experienced a decline D. been inconsistent 5. Why do people choose to give birth during the Year of the Dragon? 6. Combine these sentences into one using the word 'despite'. (i) The number of births increased by 11 per cent in 2024. The birth rate was still the third-lowest since 1961. (ii) Cash incentives were provided. Yip argued that a continued increase in the birth rate is not guaranteed. Last year marked the second consecutive year of growth in the number of newborns but the number remains low compared to historical figures. Photo: Edmond So Answers 1. jump; grew; uptick 2. to tackle the low birth rate and encourage childbearing 3. October 24, 2026 4. C 5. because the mythical creature symbolises might and intelligence 6. (i) Despite the 11 per cent increase in births in 2024, the birth rate was still the third-lowest since 1961; (ii) Despite the provision of cash incentives, Yip argued that a continued increase in the birth rate is not guaranteed.
New York Times
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Peter Som's New Debut: A Cookbook
Entertaining With shows how a party came together, with expert advice on everything from menus to music. At a dinner party on the final evening of the Year of the Dragon, the fashion designer Peter Som was a charismatic host in his amber-lit West Village apartment, teasing guests, refreshing wine glasses and finishing several dishes in his galley kitchen. Friends, several of whom had known Som for decades, were put to work upon arrival. Seth Johnson, a gardener and florist, shaved cucumbers on a mandoline. Christine Y. Kim, a curator at large at the Tate Modern, lit candles and filled water glasses. Kim, whom Som has known since college, wore a black wool dress with petal sleeves from the designer's first collection from fall 1999. Later, Roopal Patel, the fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue, arrived wearing a dress covered in plush black ribbons and invited Som to guess its maker. 'You're rusty,' she said with a smile after he made a few suggestions. 'It's Prada.' Image Som, left, chatted with a few of his guests around the table before serving dinner. Credit... Eric Chakeen Som, 54, is best known for the crisp silhouettes and precise seams of his namesake collection and his 2009 to 2012 women's runway collections for Tommy Hilfiger. But if he's out of practice with identifying designers, it's because, since 2019, he's immersed himself professionally in the culinary world. The pivot may seem surprising but, Som says, 'especially during my crazy fashion career, cooking was what kept my feet on the ground — something that would always be there after a [chaotic] day.' Once he shut down his runway collection, cooking became even more central to his life, and he found that he 'could be creative in another way, and have another dream doing something that I loved all along.' This month, he'll release his first cookbook, 'Family Style: Elegant Everyday Recipes Inspired by Home and Heritage,' which shares more than 100 dishes that pull from the flavors of Som's Chinese American upbringing. The recipes are approachable, with easy international touches such as cinnamon toast with miso and brown sugar and a potsticker frittata. Som's Crispy Deviled Tea Eggs are marinated in soy sauce, sichuan peppercorns, anise and black tea and topped with fried panko crumbs, nori and bonito flakes. Credit... Eric Chakeen Som's Famous Lemon Chicken, a recipe passed down from his grandmother and included in his debut cookbook. Credit... Eric Chakeen On this February evening, Som had gathered close friends to celebrate the Lunar New Year and preview recipes from the cookbook. His guests aimed their iPhones over the kitchen island to capture Som confidently inverting his Dutch oven onto a plate to reveal fried rice with a cracker-crisp top. (His recipe borrows the technique from the Persian dish tahdig.) The dish elevates the Chinese American staple without too much fussiness, a hallmark of the food in Som's book. 'In the fashion world, the term 'front of closet' [refers to] garments that you wear all the time,' Som said. 'I want these recipes to have the same idea: You'll make them over and over.' Ingredients for Som's Famous Lemon Chicken and 'Prawn' and Prosciutto. Credit... Eric Chakeen Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
