The family planning policy is facing a formidable obstacle spawned by progress - the rising affluence of an urban class.

From having more children abroad to paying huge fines outright, an increasing number of rich people and celebrities have been having two or more children in recent years, policymakers and sociologists say.

The government has not disclosed the number of people breaking the law to have more children, but Zhang Weiqing, the former director of the State Family Planning Commission, said the rich and famous who break the rules have cast a huge shadow over the policy, denting social equality and even stability.