Reform vital to respond to aging problem

In his recent speech to celebrate Spring Festival, President Xi Jinping spoke of China's aging society and the government's responsibility to care for the elderly. He said that great efforts should be made to ensure that the elderly are well respected, taken care of and supported, and programs for the elderly should be promoted to ensure they can enjoy a happy life.

Last month, a couple in Shandong province had their bank account frozen because they didn't pay the social maintenance fees imposed on them for having a third child.

As very low fertility is a primary cause of an aging society, the problem can be addressed by increasing the fertility rate. So why, asked netizens, should the couple in Shandong be penalized for doing what the country needs, namely having more children?