On February 15, 1995 the Chinese mainland's 1.2 billionth citizen was born in Beijing Maternity Hospital, only six years after the population had reached 1.1 billion.

At the time, some experts worried that the population would rise by another 100 million by the end of the century, but it has taken nine years instead.

"Thanks to family planning policy we have effectively controlled population growth; the date we welcomed our 1.3 billionth citizen was postponed for four years. Though our population still makes up 21 percent of that of the world, it has developed low birth and death rates," said Chen Shengli, counsel from the State Family Planning Commission on January 6.

Liang Hong, a professor at Fudan University, explained: "The large population base remains a problem, but slower growth will allow more time to advance reform goals. We would have used up more resources if the population had reached 1.3 billion in 2000."

"This 4 year-delay has helped us decrease the momentum of the population base. Just like a car on the road, momentum will drive it a long way once the engine is turned off. Reducing the car's speed decreases its momentum."

The 1.3 billionth citizen of China's mainland, a baby boy, was born at 0:02 AM last Thursday in a Beijing hospital.

(China.org.cn by Wu Nanlan January 13, 2005)