<P> Although the fertility rate began to decline, the Chinese government observed the global debate over a possible overpopulation catastrophe suggested by organizations such as Club of Rome and Sierra Club . It thus began to encourage one - child families in 1978, and then announced in 1979 its intention to advocate for one - child families . In 1980, the central government organized a meeting in Chengdu to discuss the speed and scope of one - child restrictions . </P> <P> One participant at the Chengdu meeting had read two influential books about population concerns, The Limits to Growth and A Blueprint for Survival while visiting Europe in 1979 . That official, Song Jian, along with several associates, determined that the ideal population of China was 700 million, and that a universal one - child policy for all would be required to meet that goal . In spite of some criticism inside the party, the plan (also referred to as the Family Planning Policy) was formally implemented as a temporary measure on September 18, 1980 . The plan called for families to have one child each in order to curb a then - surging population and alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China . </P> <P> Although a recent and often - repeated interpretation claims that Song Jian was the central architect of the one - child policy and that he "hijacked" the policymaking process, central officials had already decided in 1979 to advocate for one - child restrictions before knowing of Song's work and, upon learning of his work in 1980, seemed sympathetic . Moreover, even if his work convinced them to proceed with universal one - child restrictions in 1980, the policy was loosened to a "1.5" - child policy just five years later, and it is that policy which has been misnomered since as the "one - child policy ." Thus, it is misleading to suggest that Song Jian was either the inventor or architect of the policy that China had in place from 1985 - 2015 . </P> <P> The one - child policy was originally designed to be a One - Generation Policy . It was enforced at the provincial level and enforcement varied; some provinces had more relaxed restrictions . The one - child limit was most strictly enforced in densely populated urban areas . </P>

Who implemented the one child policy in china