China's One-Child Policy Czar's Death Sparks Social Media Fury, Not Tributes

• Peng Peiyun, former head of China’s family planning authority, died, sparking widespread criticism on social media despite state media praise.
• Weibo users condemned the legacy of the one-child policy, blaming it for forced abortions, sterilizations, and millions of lost lives.
• Critics link the policy to current demographic challenges, including China's population decline and gender imbalances.
• Peng led the Family Planning Commission from 1988 to 1998, overseeing the policy's strict enforcement.
• China, now facing a shrinking and aging population, is scrambling to reverse the trend with incentives, but experts warn of economic strain.

Why It Matters: Death of One-Child Policy architect Peng Peiyun ignites public anger over policy's harsh legacy.