Stuart Gietel-Basten, a social science professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, dives into China's declining birth rates amidst economic challenges. He discusses the legacy of population control, transitioning from the one-child policy to attempts at reversing the trend with financial incentives. Gietel-Basten emphasizes the importance of addressing socio-economic factors rather than solely focusing on boosting numbers. He also explores solutions for an aging society and critiques the relentless pursuit of economic growth.