Dark lives of China’s ‘black children’

BEIJING, China: She was born in Beijing and has lived there all her life. But like millions of others conceived in violation of China’s one-child policy, as far as the state is concerned Li Xue does not exist.

She has no right to schooling, health care or a formal job. Without a birth certificate or identity papers, she is a “black child,” an alien in her own country -- unable to join a public library, get legally married or even take a train.