China marks World Population Day. Address by Chang Congxuan.

Over the past 3 to 4 decades, the international community, governments, and nongovernmental organizations have worked to control population growth. As a result, the birthrate and natural increase rate have declined. However, the world's population continues to grow. World Population Day is a time to mark achievements and question whether everyone is aware of the population problem, whether the public is involved with family planning (FP) extensively, and whether the contraceptive needs of persons living in border or impoverished areas are being met. The China Family Planning Association was established 18 years ago by a group of FP volunteers; there are now 1.0 million subassociations with a membership of 83 million throughout the country. They deliver FP information and services and help acceptors with day-to-day problems arising from production and livelihood.