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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson, Amy Hawkins, and Chi Hui Lin

The power of dragon babies: could an auspicious year boost China’s ailing birthrate?

A man and a toddler are silhouetted as they pose for a souvenir photo with a giant dragon lantern for china's lunar new year
China’s efforts to boost its birthrate have had little impact, but perhaps the Year of the Dragon in the zodiac calendar will help. Photograph: Andy Wong/AP

Last week in Taiwan, a well-known obstetrician-gynaecologist posted a public service announcement on Facebook, urged aspiring parents not to waste any time. Dr Chih Chun Chen, a director of the Eugene Postpartum Nursing Care Center, told young couples to put 8 May in their calendar if they wanted to give birth to a dragon baby.

“Sowing should be completed by May 15 of this year at the latest,” Chen said. “You have to work hard during the New Year!”

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