China’s ‘1.3 Billionth’ Baby Bathed in Hype
Greeted by national television coverage of his first bath, a newborn boy was declared China’s 1.3 billionth citizen in a blaze of publicity to promote the government’s controversial “one child” birth limits.
The 8-pound infant was presented with a certificate of his status after his birth at 12:02 a.m. at Beijing Maternity Hospital. State TV’s evening news showed his mother, Lan Hui, 31, receiving a bouquet and the newborn getting a bath and massage.
Father Zhang Tong, 37, said, “I am the happiest guy in the world, and my boy will be blessed all his life.”
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