Director's paternity sparks debate

Chinese director Zhang Yimou (R) speaks with filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang on the set of filming a new historical movie on the life of Yang Yuhuan, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Photo provided to China Daily

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"Zhang's violation of the family planning policy was initially a personal issue. The reason it has drawn so much attention is that people are concerned that celebrities can override the law and dodge punishment," said Lu Jiehua, a professor of demography at Peking University.

Lu said the incident could also have an adverse effect on compliance, which is high among government employees who fear they could lose their jobs after a violation.

"This incident shows that the policy is not equally effective for celebrities," Lu said. "Nor is it effective for migrant workers, the self-employed or people living in remote areas, to my knowledge."

China's family planning policy has been in place for more than three decades. Most couples have been restricted to only one child since 1980.

But the policy has been loosened over time. A second child was allowed, for example, for some rural families whose first child was a girl, as well as for ethnic groups and for couples who are both only children.

The policy was further relaxed last month, when the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee decided that if just one spouse is an only child, the couple may have two children.

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