Living wills enliven debate about death

A growing number of people believe that quality of life is more important than longevity. Liu Zhihua reports.

Attitudes to death are changing in China. Once, the subject was taboo - the number four, si in Chinese, is still deemed unlucky because it sounds uncomfortably like the word for death - and traditionally, people have been reluctant to discuss the end of life or challenge treatment plans presented by physicians or close relatives.

The situation is now changing, partly because of greater contact with the outside world and partly thanks to the advent of "living wills".