The number of males in China at marriage age is 18 million more
than that of females due to a long period of high sex birth ratio
since the 1980s, according to the country's family planning
authorities.
The sex ratio at birth in rural areas is 122.85:100, higher than
the national average of 119.58:100, as compared with the normal sex
ratio of 103 to 107:100, according to Zhang Weiqing, National
Population and Family Planning Commission director.
By 2020, males aged between 20 and 45 are forecast to be 30
million more than females in the country, he said at a rural
population and family planning conference in the Henan Province
capital.
Rural families still have a preference for boys as agricultural
production currently relies mainly on laborers, according to
Zhang.
China will continue to crack down on illegal prenatal sex
selection and will try to help people discard traditional ideas of
a preference for boys, the official said.
(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)