135 males are born on island for every 100 females due to selective abortions
The National Statistics Bureau says 135 males are born on Hainan for every 100 females, highlighting the effect that the one-child policy is having in a country which values male heirs over females.
Guangdong has the second highest ratio, with 130.3 males born for every 100 females.
The discrepancy is mostly due to selective abortions, in which prospective parents abort female foetuses. Despite a government ban on the practice it is still widespread.
Selective abortions have lead to an imbalance in the mainland's population, with an national average of more than 117 males born for every 100 females. Worldwide, the ratio is between 103 and 107 males to 100 females. Xinhua last year hinted why the ratio might be so skewed on Hainan island. It reported the male-to-female ratio for children of government officials and party chiefs was a stunning 250:100, implying those in positions of influence had a flagrant disregard for the law.
An official with the Hainan Population and Family Planning Office would only say the situation in the province was bad but improving.
