The Qingdao Population Development Program for the 11th Five-Year Plan Period was issued recently. The Program sets up targets to maintain low birth rate, and improve people's health and the population structure and distribution. The urban population will be controlled within 8.09 million at the end of 2010, according to the program.

       Statistics shows that the urban population in 2006 was at a little more than 7.4 million. With 8 million in 2010 and people moving from elsewhere, the number will reach 9.4 million. Meanwhile the yearly birth rate will be controlled within 10.5% and the natural population growth rate, within 4%.

       The Program also enunciates other detailed targets such as the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate being within 8% and 0.02%, respectively. The program points out new financial resources will first and foremost be allocated to education, sanitation, cultural causes in the countryside. By the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan Period, 60% of the elderly people in the country will be able to enjoy the endowment insurance program whereas the medical security will cover all of the urban population.