China is struggling with a serious population decline, and despite multiple government incentives, birth rates continue to fall. Recently, the Chinese government even announced that it would bear all pregnancy-related expenses to encourage childbirth. However, these measures have not delivered the desired results. Amid this crisis, a controversial and unusual trend has emerged—wealthy Chinese businessmen are reportedly turning to surrogacy in the United States to father multiple children.

A report by The Wall Street Journal has revealed that a Chinese billionaire has used American surrogates to father a large number of children, triggering legal scrutiny and public debate.

The case that drew global attention
The matter came to light during a court hearing in Los Angeles in 2023. The case involved Chinese billionaire Shou Bo and was heard by Judge Amy Ballman. During the proceedings, it emerged that Shou had already fathered 12 children through surrogacy arrangements and had set a personal target of having 20 children.

According to court records and media reports, American women were hired as surrogates and paid to carry the pregnancies. Once the children were born, arrangements were allegedly made for Chinese passports, after which the children were sent to Beijing.

Shou reportedly told the court that his actions were legal and that he intended for all his children to eventually take over his business empire. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to him, claimed that the actual number of children fathered by Shou could be far higher, possibly exceeding 100.

Not an isolated case
The report also suggests that Shou is not the only wealthy Chinese businessman following this route. Another Chinese billionaire, Wang Haiwu, is said to have fathered 10 daughters through American surrogacy. According to sources, he has publicly stated his intention to marry them into affluent families.

Surrogacy industry in the US
Surrogacy is legal in several US states and has become a booming industry. The cost of one surrogacy arrangement can reach up to $200,000, making it accessible mainly to the ultra-wealthy. The industry has also been used by high-profile global figures, including American industrialist Elon Musk, who has had children via surrogacy.

Legal and ethical concerns
While some of these arrangements may fall within the boundaries of US law, they raise serious ethical, social, and legal questions—especially regarding citizenship, child welfare, and the commercialization of childbirth. Courts may intervene in individual cases, but for extremely wealthy individuals, legal consequences often have limited impact.

This growing trend highlights the extremes to which some individuals are willing to go amid China’s demographic crisis, and it continues to spark debate both in China and internationally.