Hong Kong Babies

Our main story is on how tough new policies in Hong Kong could prevent Chinese women having babies there, the rise of the Purity Ball – where American teenage girls pledge their virginity to their Dads and turning the other cheek, the new film on Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders, struggling for an end to violence

Hong Kong Babies

Hong Kong anthropologist Ka-Ming Wuand

Last year, more then 26,000 pregnant Chinese women from the mainland had their babies in Hong Kong.

But now Hong Kong authorities say the baby boom has put their health facilities under too much strain – and from February this year new regulations have come into force to check the tide.

Hospital fees have doubled for mainland mothers, who have to pay nearly US$5000 even before they set foot in the region. And immigration officers will turn back anyone appearing to be seven months pregnant who has not paid in advance.

Lee Che-ok Yan, legislative councillor

So why are so many Chinese women keen to give birth in Hong Kong? Is it just to escape China’s one child policy, or are there other driving forces?

Shiulie Ghosh is joined from Hong Kong by Ka-Ming Wu, anthropologist and visiting scholar at Hong Kong University, who gives us quick overview of the one child policy and its effect and Lee Che-ok Yan, legislative councillor to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, who tells us why these regulations are divisive.

Purity Balls

A daughter making her vows to her father

It is like a wedding but with a twist: young women exchange rings, make vows and enjoy a first dance … not with their sweethearts, but with their fathers.

They are called purity balls, and they are the creation of the conservative Christian movement in America, which persuades girls to abstain from sex until marriage.

It is popular with the US president; last year the abstinence movement received over $160 million in funding and so far this year around 1400 balls have taken place across America.
 
Revenge or Reconcilliation

Joline Makhlouf

Now, one of the major areas of conflict and violence in this world is the bitter battle between Israel and the Palestinians.

But there are people from both sides who want to resolve the conflict through non-violent means.

People like Joline Makhlouf, a Palestinian, born and raised in Jerusalem, and co-founder of ‘Just Vision’ an organisation dedicated to peaceful reconciliation. 

It has just produced its first documentary called Encounter Point which has already won huge accolades. Joline joins us in the studio.

Watch Part One Here:

Watch Part Two Here: