In this case they have to import labor from other parts of China, if not allow limited numbers of migrant workers.

Yes, I guess it did seem like a good idea at the time. Fake it (low birth rate) til you make it (improved living standards).

Bought yourself time to solve the problem too. Unfortunately most politicians don’t think about that part either

That's mostly a problem in capitalist economies. We already support some 3 times more elderly per person today than we did after WWII. How did that happen without the economy scuttling? Productivity growth. We pooduce way more products and services per head than we did back then. The problem is most of that is collected by the owner classes. If the owner class consuped less resources we'd be able to provide more to our elderly. A non-capitalist economy can allocate production and distribution more based on need and not on return on investment on private capital. Part of that would be using productivity gains from mass automation to fulfill these needs with fewer people. Under the capital system automation gains go into more hyperyachts and private space trips.

I say this as an old guy - who cares? We had our fun and time on earth. Let us not be a burden on future generations, at least any more than we already have.

With apologies to Dylan Thomas, let's not rage, but go softly into that good night.

I'll gladly take the MAID route, but if not, when my time comes, I'll go the old fashioned way.

Amish and Mormons and Heredi Jews continue to have large families be they poor or rich. Culture is definitely a factor.

nobody can afford shit anymore because greed

Every generation in China can afford more than their parents at that age, wages have increased while prices remain very cheap. Some days I eat all my meals for less than 2USD, including coffee. I'm currently in a 24th floor homestay apartment next to the train station/subway paying 9USD a night.

everyone is mentally and physically exhausted

This. Young people are experiencing insane pressure from their parents, competitive schools, and a job market that just doesn't have enough jobs. The traditional social perspectives of the older generations doesn't help either.

Well also a knock-on effect of one child, which is the one child being kept was male.

It's the same for all western countries too, well, most countries in the world. And guess what old people are voting for at the polls? It isn't sacrificing anything of their own for a brighter future for the youth, that's for sure.