The ‘Birth’ of a Modern Nation: A Brief History of Women’s Access to Abortion in China

In the West, safe access to abortion for women is central to the debate around reproductive freedom. In China, from the late Imperial period to the Republican era and Communist rule, women’s access to abortion has come about through historical changes in accordance with the social norms and political demands of the time. Currently, abortion, at least in principle, is available on demand by the woman alone, although pre-marital abortion has remained a sensitive topic. This chapter traces the history of women’s access to abortion throughout the twentieth century until the present day in China, mapping out the legal, political, and social contexts that led to its public rejection and/or acceptance. It highlights the moralised discourse around female sexuality. While the heterosexual family remains the only legitimate site for reproduction, women’s reproductive freedom in China is subjugated to the priorities of nation-building and maintaining social stability.