The Chinese government has introduced a law specifically banning sex-selective abortions, South China Morning Post said. The new law is intended to stop parents who want a son from aborting female foetuses. Although guidelines had previously been issued on the subject, this is the first time that they have been specifically prohibited.
Under the new law, doctors who perform routine scans on women will not be allowed to inform the parents of the sex of the foetus. Only government-approved centres will be able to conduct scans and perform abortions. Centres found to have broken the law could have their licences revoked and medical staff found guilty of facilitating sex-selective abortions would face fines or imprisonment.