CHINA - Child-Friendly Cities

China has issued a new proposal urging cities to integrate youth development into urban planning, housing, health care, education and public services, in a broader push to make urban life more supportive for young people, children and families.

Authorities are trying to reverse China’s demographic decline after official data showed births fell to 7.92 million in 2025, with the birth rate dropping to a record low

“By 2030, the concept of youth-development-oriented cities will be widely established,” the policy said, adding that by 2035 China aims to have formed a “relatively mature and complete system for youth development.”

-www.nbcnews.com, 22 April 2026

Commentary: Of communist-governed nations, China is unique. Why? Because they incorporate communism, socialism, and capitalism.

According to VisualCapitalist.com, China lists 470 billionaires (the US has 924, followed by India at 188). However, World Population Review shows that per capita, Monaco leads the world with 76.8 billionaires per million population.

One notices Israel in 12th place, with 3.6 billionaires per million population.

Having said that, we ask the question: why child-friendly cities? The article makes it plain: China is experiencing, just like all industrialized nations, a demographic decline. Riches and luxury seem to be the hindering element to childbirth.

Here we are reminded of 2 Timothy 3; although addressed to the Church, it is apparently applicable to the world at large. It starts off with “lovers of their own selves” (v. 2a).

In the Western world, we have heard and read much about the lack of self-love. Many books on the market tell us how to improve our self-esteem. When reading the 18 negative characteristics of 2 Timothy 3:2-4, it ends with the words, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

When it comes to self-love, the Bible is right up to date. Jesus exclaimed, “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39b). This clearly shows that mankind is infatuated with self-love.

(See The Greatest Turning Point, Item #1075, $2.75.)