Everyone in China has his or her Sheng Xiao, one of the 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig) used to symbolize the lunar year in which they were born.

Traditionally, Chinese believe "monkey babies" will be more cute, bright and intelligent, so many couples planned to have their babies in the Year of the Monkey.

Approximately 10,000 babies are expected to be born in Beijing Maternity Hospital (BMH) this year, twice the number of other years, according to hospital statistics.

Through October 31, the number of women who had given birth at the hospital was 7,684 -- more than most other years' total. Over 2,000 of the pregnant women who have registered with the BMH are due to give birth in the next two months.

The hospital has had to turn doctors' offices into wards and shorten observation times. Other hospitals in Beijing face similar situations, according to BMH.

Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu have also had more births this year, according to local health bureaus.

Since embarking on its one-child policy, people in China have become particular when looking after their babies, providing them with fine, nutritious food, nice clothes, better education and even choosing the year of birth.

2003 was the Year of the Sheep, and babies born during it are traditionally believed to have worse prospects. Thus, many would-be mothers delayed their plans to have a baby.

Liang Ke, a stewardess with Air China who is due to give birth next month, said "My husband and I have waited for our baby since we failed to have one in 2000, the Year of the Dragon." The couple began planning last year to have their baby this year instead.

However, experts say superstition could bring those babies more trouble than luck, since birth peaks produce ripple effects. Kids born this year could have more difficulties entering schools and finding jobs, for example.

Citing the Year of Dragon as an example, experts said the "dragon babies" born in 2000 are already facing problems. In 2003, as they reached school age, heavy pressure was put on kindergartens.

Li Ping, an official at the Ministry of Water Resources, pays 30,000 yuan (about US$3,600) besides regular tuition for her son, born in 2000, to attend a public kindergarten.
 
This year's "monkey babies" could create another birth peak when they grow up and get married, acknowledged experts. "To bring real fortune to their kids, Chinese couples should avoid creating such birth peaks."

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2004)