Feng Jianmei Case: The Aftermath of a Forced Abortion in China
The case of Feng Jianmei, a woman forced to undergo an abortion at seven months pregnant, sparked a massive wave of domestic and international outrage in 2012. What began as a local enforcement action in Shaanxi province quickly evolved into a global conversation about human rights, the ethics of population control, and the conduct of grassroots officials in China.
Key Facts
- Victim: Feng Jianmei, a woman in Shaanxi province.
- Incident: Forced abortion at seven months of pregnancy.
- Catalyst: Local officials in Zeng Jia Township were under pressure to meet family planning quotas after receiving a "yellow card" warning.
- Public Reaction: Over one million comments on Sina Weibo; widespread international coverage by BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera.
- Outcome: Seven officials were punished; the family received a settlement of 70,600 yuan.
The Viral Outbreak of Public Outrage
The story gained momentum when Feng's sister-in-law, Deng Jicai, captured images of Feng in a hospital bed next to her stillborn child. On June 11, these images, along with a threatening text message from authorities, were posted on Sina Weibo. The visual evidence of the "atrocity" triggered an immediate backlash, with users calling for the end of the one-child policy and criticizing the corruption of local officials.
Despite aggressive government censorship and the locking of threads on platforms like NetEase, the story became a top search term. Prominent figures joined the outcry, including lawyer Zhang Kai and blogger Li Chengpeng, who described the policy as "murder population." Even Hu Xijin, chief editor of the Global Times, opposed the "barbarous" nature of the forced abortion, though he maintained that the one-child policy itself was necessary for resource management.
Government Denial and Eventual Admission
Initially, officials in Zhenping County denied the allegations, claiming the abortion was legal and requested by Feng. They cited her lack of a local hukou (household registration), which they claimed made her ineligible for a second child. A local official further claimed that a demanded 40,000 yuan fee was merely a "deposit."
However, it was later revealed that Zeng Jia Township had failed to meet its enforcement quotas for two consecutive years. To remove a "yellow card" warning, officials had intensified their crackdown in June 2012. Following an investigation by the Shaanxi Provincial Population and Family Planning Commission, the government admitted that Feng had been forced into an illegal abortion, violating relevant policies.
Administrative Consequences
The Ankang city government issued a formal apology, and Deputy Mayor Du Shouping visited Feng in the hospital. The investigation concluded that while Feng was not entitled to a second child due to her non-agricultural hukou, the 40,000 yuan demand had no legal basis. Consequently, the head of the Zhenping family planning bureau, Jiang Nenghai, and one other official were fired, while five others were punished.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Findings | Forced abortion confirmed; illegal fee demanded. |
| Personnel Actions | 2 officials fired; 5 employees punished. |
| Financial Settlement | 70,600 yuan (~US$11,200) paid to the family. |
| Legal Status | Settled out of court; no criminal charges filed. |
Legal Struggles and Out-of-Court Settlement
Lawyer Zhang Kai attempted to pursue criminal charges, arguing that the forced abortion constituted "willful and malicious injury." However, legal hurdles were significant. A 2008 Supreme People's Court decision indicated that litigation could not be based on constitutional provisions, and family planning laws lacked provisions for damages awarded to victims of official abuse.
Facing uncooperative law enforcement and immense social pressure, the family eventually agreed to a settlement of 70,600 yuan on July 10. Deng Jiyuan stated that the decision was not about the money, but about the desire to return to a normal life. Zhang Kai noted that this sum could not compensate for the "spiritual pain" or the loss of a life.
State-Backed Harassment and Surveillance
Following the public exposure, the Deng family reported severe harassment. Deng Jiyuan was allegedly blocked by over 100 people and a dozen cars while attempting to travel to Beijing, and he reported being physically assaulted. He later described being followed by officials and "thugs" even into bathrooms, eventually fleeing to Beijing in secret to seek help.
The family also faced a coordinated smear campaign and physical intimidation, including an incident where a visiting family member's tires were slashed. While the Shaanxi provincial government dismissed these claims as "unfounded rumors," independent researchers suggested these were tactics to prevent further media coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Feng Jianmei targeted for a forced abortion?
Local officials in Zeng Jia Township were under pressure to meet population control quotas after receiving a "yellow card" warning for failing to meet targets for two years. They intensified enforcement in June 2012 to remove this warning.
What is a hukou and how did it affect this case?
A hukou is a household registration system in China. In this case, Feng's non-agricultural hukou status was used by officials to claim she was not entitled to a second child, providing the pretext for the enforcement action.
Were any officials held criminally responsible?
No. While seven officials faced administrative punishments—including two being fired—no one was held criminally liable for the forced abortion or the subsequent harassment of the family.
How much compensation did the family receive?
The family agreed to an out-of-court settlement of 70,600 yuan (approximately US$11,200), with the township also agreeing to cover medical bills if Feng contracted a disease as a result of the procedure.
What was the international reaction to the case?
The case received widespread coverage from major global outlets including the BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, drawing international condemnation of China's forced abortion practices and the one-child policy.