China Braced For Surname Reform

SINO DAILY

by Staff Writers
Beijing (RIA Novosti) Jun 15, 2007
The Chinese Public Security Ministry has proposed changing the system of naming newborns in an effort to end confusion caused by a large number of identical surnames, the local media reported Wednesday. Currently, married people in China do not change their surname and newborns can take either of their parents' name, although it is traditional to adopt the father's surname.

But this is causing real problems for China because there are only 1,600 surnames in use in a country with a population of 1.3 billion, and 85% of Chinese only use 100 of these.

Ninety-two million people have Lee as their last name, and 88 million Chang.

The Public Security Ministry has repeatedly expressed concern about the situation, since repeated surnames are a nuisance to the government and citizens.

Under the new proposals, parents will be able to register their babies by combining their names. The project is being considered by local authorities.

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Gates Urges China To Explain Military Intentions

Honolulu HI (AFP) Jun 01, 2007
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on China Thursday to explain its intentions in undertaking a major military buildup that the Pentagon warns is altering the military balance in the region. "There is no question that the Chinese are building significant capacity," Gates said. "Our concern is over their intent."

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