Best place to have a child - China or UK?

[imron]

The one child law apply only to two married chinese citizen. Example: Husband is foreigner, wife is Chinese citizen. Now this couple is not bound by one child law.

I'm not sure that this is correct. I agree with cdn_in_bj and johnd.

As I understand it, as long as a child is put on a Chinese 户口 they come under the one-child law. So, going by the example above, if the child was put on the wife's 户口 then that is her one child. If the couple have another child and also put that on the 户口 then that counts as a second child, and the family will be subject to fines as per the one-child policy. However, because the husband in this case is a foreigner, it is not necessary to place their children on the wife's 户口 as the child is able to gain foreign citizenship, and therefore does not come under the restrictions of the one-child policy.

So, basically, it depends on whether or not the child gets placed on a chinese 户口, and not the nationality of the parents. It's just that mixed-race couples have the choice whether or not to put their children on a chinese 户口。

Anyway, the above is just based on what others (friends with mixed-race children) have told me, so I'm not sure if it's 100% correct. I had a hunt for the relevant laws, but couldn't find anything specific to this situation.

Edited July 19, 2008 at 05:27 AM by imron

[LaoLiang]

A friend had a baby last year in the UK who unfortunately had some rare congenital issue, it was taken care of in the best of hospitals without any real cost to the parents. Now, everyone hopes and wishes and refuse to even imagine their baby would have problems, alas it happens quite allot. Having said this, I know quite a few expats who chose to have their baby in China and it went without a hitch. I'd at least suggest purchasing an additional health insurance for the newborn and mother.

[GBodyShop]

I agree with you. Where can we go to look for this? Even for foreigners. How and where can we get more coverage for ourself?

[GaHanna]

*bump*

Sorry for that but I just wanted to update you all on my thoughts and seek further advice on the already invaluable input I have received on this subject.

As you may be able to ascertain we are very much taking this subject seriously in the planning stage. I feel that the educational questions have been answered, but here is the crux:

In view of ante, and post-natal care, where is the best place to have the baby? I do like the idea of returning the Ireland to stay whilst my lady is preparing and giving birth. However, of course, she is number one, so my question is on the best place available to her and our baby.

And does anyone have any experience in getting a passport for the wee child if we decide to have the child here?

[zhxlier]

if your child is born in Ireland, I don't think s/he can get （中国）旅行证(驻外使领馆不发护照，只发旅行证）。S/he'll need to apply for a visa to enter China.