PIP: The Population Reference Bureau and the UN recently reported a population rate for China of 1.9, down from 2.2 and 2.3 in 1992 and 1990, respectively. This drastic reduction in fertility combined with a New York Times story citing anecdotal evidence of forced abortions and sterilizations, destruction of homes, seizure of property, and extensive fines and beatings for those who violate childbearing restrictions in China has prompted an UN investigation of what is really going on in the country's family planning program. The UN will send demographers to China in July to investigate and prepare a report by August or September. The Chinese government has countered that its policy is not coercive, but that overzealous workers can be and are punished. The country also holds that its drastically reduced fertility is due to a 12.8% increase in the country's 1992 gross national product and couples' voluntary adherence to the country's one-child rule with the goal of building a financial nest egg to raise their standard of living. Whether or not China's family planning policy is coercive will affect the continuation of UN support and whether the US will give money which could be used in the program.