11-child family sparks debate

A picture taken in January shows six of He Hong's children playing on uncultivated land near their house. [Photo: China Daily]

"Saving people is more promising than saving money" is a belief a Chinese farmer has been practicing for over 20 years, which has brought him 11 children.

The man, He Hong, said he wants his children to improve the fate of his poor family. If one of the children becomes successful, his whole family would be lifted out of poverty. So he thinks the more children he has, the more likely the family's destiny would take a different direction.

His wife, Zhang Xingzi, says neither her husband nor her husband know anything about contraception or birth control measures.

The couple have now found themselves at the center of controversy for violating China's family-planning policy, the Southern Metropolitan News reported.