China’s population policy drives human trafficking

Subject

Human trafficking into China.

Significance

A large gender imbalance, caused in part by the one-child policy, has led to large number of women being trafficked from surrounding developing countries for forced marriage to men in China who are unable to find local brides. Local law enforcement has failed to implement national policies to protect these women and apprehend the criminals.

Impacts

• Cross-border links and travel associated with the Belt and Road Initiative create new opportunities and demand for human trafficking.
• China’s formal policies on human trafficking and sexual exploitation are already robust; only tougher enforcement will improve things.
• US government and NGO pressure on Beijing to tackle human trafficking will not change China’s priorities.
• China is likely to scrap limits on family sizes, probably within two years.