"China's Looming Population Decline: Implications for the Future"

China's population has shrunk for the second consecutive year, posing a significant challenge for the government as it grapples with a demographic time bomb. The country's fertility rate and birth numbers have declined, leading to concerns about an aging workforce and future productivity. Efforts to encourage childbirth, including easing family planning rules and offering incentives, face obstacles such as changing attitudes among younger generations and economic slowdown. The demographic shift is also impacting China's international approach, with the country recognizing the need to adapt to a changing population structure.