Growing up alone in China

China, the world's most populous country with nearly 1.4 billion people, states the country's one-child policy has averted 400 million births since 1980, saving scarce food resources and helping to pull families out of poverty. Couples violating the policy had to pay a fine, or in some cases were forced to undergo abortions. In late 2013, the government said it would ease its one-child policy, allowing millions of families to have two children, part of a plan to raise fertility rates and ease the financial burden on a rapidly aging population. China's ruling Communist Party announced October 29, 2015 the abolition of the decades-old policy, allowing all couples to have two children, removing the last remaining restrictions that limited many city-dwelling couples to only one child.

Reuters photographer Carlos Barria photographed a person born each year of the One Child Policy.

In this photo, Jiejin Qiu, six months pregnant with her first baby, poses underwater at a local wedding photo studio in Shanghai on Sept. 5, 2014.

Jin Yanxi

Jin Yanxi, born in 2014, poses in Shanghai, Sept. 4, 2014.

Huang Aiting

Huang Aiting, born in 2013, poses in Shanghai, July 26, 2014.

Xin Zhiteng

Xin Zhiteng, born in 2012, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

Ma Chenxi

Ma Chenxi, born in 2011, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

Qin Wuyue

Qin Wuyue, born in 2010, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

When asked if he would like to have siblings, Wuyue said: "No they're noisy."

Liu Ziyu

Liu Ziyu, born in 2009, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

Ziyu said that she didn't want any siblings "because my mother would pay full attention to him or her."

Ding Zhongcheng

Ding Zhongcheng, born in 2008, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

"I don't want to have older brothers or sisters or younger ones either, because I don't want them to mess up all the things in the house. If there was a chance that my mother could give birth to older siblings, then I would accept it," Zhongcheng said.

Liang Xiao

Liang Xiao, born in 2007, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 24, 2014.

"I want a little sister because little brothers are naughty," Xiao said.

Liu Yuwei

Liu Yuwei, born in 2006, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 16, 2014.

Yuwei said she would like siblings "because I want to play with them."

Qian Dingheng

Only child Qian Dingheng, who born in 2005, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

"I don't want [a sibling], because he would interrupt my homework," Dingheng said.

Yu Yan

Yu Yan, born in 2004, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 24, 2014.

"I want to have someone to play with," said Yan.

Wang Qi'an

Only child Wang Qi'an, who born in 2003, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 15, 2014.

When asked if he would like to have siblings, Qi'an said: "No, because I have investigated all my classmates who have brothers or sisters. None of them perform well in their studies."

Ding Tieru

Ding Tieru, born in 2002, poses in Shanghai, July 27, 2014.

"I have a cousin. I'd like to have a brother. Because we would be able to play together. I want more friends. We would be able to help each other in our studies," said Tieru.

Dai Jingting

Dai Jingting, born in 2001, poses in Shanghai, Sept. 20, 2014.

Jingting said she would like siblings "because it wouldn't be boring for me to stay at home alone."

Yao Jihan

Yao Jihan, born in 2000, poses in Shanghai, July 27, 2014.

When asked if he would like siblings Jihan said: "No. I don't know. Maybe, maybe, because it's troublesome. If there is one more person in this house, the room will not be big enough to hold two children. I don't feel lonely because I have a lot of friends."

Zhu Diwen

Zhu Diwen, born in 1999, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

Diwen said: "I have a cousin and I don't want to have brothers and sisters."

Zhang Ziaoying

Zhang Xiaoying, born in 1998, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 24, 2014.

Xiaoying said, "If I had a brother older than me, he could help me do many things, play with me."

Zhao Mengge

Zhao Mengge, born in 1997, poses in Shanghai, Sept. 6, 2014.

"Yes I'd like to have sisters. Little sisters are not naughty and they are easier to look after," said Mengge.

Yang Zheng

Yang Zheng, born in 1996, poses in Shanghai, Sept. 3, 2014.

Zheng said: "I would like to have a big brother to teach me things, take me traveling and take care of me."

Lv Mengmeng

Lv Mengmeng, born in 1995, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

When asked if she would like siblings, Mengmeng said: "Maybe brothers, because I think they could protect me."

Wang Yanrong

Wang Yanrong, born in 1994, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 16, 2014.

Yanrong said: "Yes, I would like to have a brother or a sister because that would be much more fun. There are times when you don't know who to talk to and then it would be better if I had a sibling. I know a cousin who has a sibling and they have a very good relationship."

Jiang Chencheng

Jiang Chencheng, born in 1993, poses in Shanghai, July 23, 2014.

Chencheng said: "I wouldn't like to have a brother or a sister because I would have to share the [family's] financial [resources] with them and it would be very difficult for our parents to send them to good universities."

Huang Erbin

Huang Erbin, born in 1992, poses in Shanghai, July 31, 2014.

When asked if she'd like sibling, Erbin said: "No, because of some financial reasons and another problem is I don't want to share my parents' love with other people."

Xiao Wenjin

Xiao Wenjin, born in 1991, poses in Shanghai, July 29, 2014.

"I wish I had brothers and sisters because I think it's interesting. I wouldn't feel so lonely. We would have to share ... I like to share," said Wenjin.

Zhang Haoran

Zhang Haoran, born in 1990, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

Haoran said: "Actually it would be a good thing to have brothers or sisters who are of similar age. Then some problems that arise in our adulthood might be solved [more easily]. For example, communication with peers, and also learning sharing, individualism."

Zhu Wenjun

Zhu Wenjun, born in 1989, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 24, 2014.

Wenjun said: "Of course I want to have a brother or a sister because being a single child is so lonely. I want to have someone to play with and grow up with."

Dai Chen

Dai Chen, born in 1988, poses in Shanghai, July 23, 2014.

Chen said: "I don't want to have siblings because if I had a brother or a sister I would have to share. It would be difficult to get a good education."

Chen Xuejun

Chen Xuejun, born in 1987, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

Xuejun said: "I want to have an older brother. We could play together and he would protect me."

Lu Dan

Lu Da, born in 1986, poses in Shanghai, July 23, 2014.

"If there is a chance I'd like to have brothers and sisters. On the one hand, during my growth it is a good thing to have a brother or a sister who has similar age around. For many things I could discuss with him or her. On the other hand when my parents get older I need to take the responsibility of taking care of them. If there are brothers or sisters at home things will be much easier."

Zhang Bowen

Zhang Bowen, born in 1985, poses in Shanghai, July 25, 2014.

Bowen said: "I'd like to have a sister or a brother, because I would feel less lonely growing up."

Liu Yun

Liu Yun, born in 1984, poses in Shanghai, July 29, 2014.

Yun said: "I'm a single child. I don't want to have any brother or sister. I have cousins, I would say we love each other and we have very good connections. So I never feel I need a brother or a sister."

Qin Wen

Qin Wen, born in 1983, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 22, 2014.

Wen said: "I think it's good to have a brother or a sister."

Xu Yufang

Xu Yufang, born in 1982, photo in Shanghai, August 22, 2014.

Yufang said: "I longed to have a brother to protect me, because I'm alone."

Zhou Yu

Zhou Yu, born in 1981, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 28, 2014.

"I wish I could have one brother because I am the only child in my family and while I do have lots of cousins, I'm the oldest one. So sometimes I wish I had an older brother to take care of me. Growing up, I think I missed having male role models," said Yu.

Huang Zheng

Huang Zheng, born in 1980, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 28, 2014.

Zheng said: "Yes. Of course I'd like to have a brother or a sister, because I would have someone to live and study with. If possible, I'd like to have an older sister. It's more appropriate and easier to communicate with a sister, rather than with your parents, when you're faced with some problems. I'm not saying I feel lonely. It just would make life more colorful."

Cai Hua

Cai Hua, born in 1979, poses in Shanghai, Aug. 30, 2014.

Hua said: "I wish I had a sister. I prefer to have a sister rather than a brother. I have a lot of friends who have a brother and they usually fight with each other. I think it would be very funny but I would prefer to have a sister."