Since Shijiazhuang, capital city of north China's Hebei Province, built China's very first baby hatch in 2011, public debate has never receded about whether this facility, which can provide temporary security to dumped babies, will backfire to trigger more social problems, such as encouraging abandonment and indulging the outdated preference for male heirs. Now this debate is becoming more intense after Guangzhou set up its first baby shelter following the Spring Festival, which received about 80 babies in 15 days.

However, despite growing concerns, Chinese authorities have decided to expand more safe havens across the nation. It is reported that besides 25 established shelters in 10 provinces, there will be another 18 areas involved in the pilot project, which aims to see each provincial area equipped with at least one or two baby hatches.

In fact, these concerns do make a certain kind of logic as baby abandonment, although strictly prohibited by Chinese law, is still a grave social problem. Harrowing tales about unwanted babies being dropped off unprotected then dying can be heard from time to time. It is no surprise that cases of abandonment will be thought to increase because parents will feel less guilty if they dump their unwanted babies who can be protected in the shelter, and no legal punishment will ensue.

There seems to be controversy between what social ethics demand and what the law prohibits. If this issue can be looked at as part of the bigger picture, the adoption and expansion of baby hatches is actually a major step forward in the development of China's social welfare system, which was long denounced for lack of investment.

Media reports have shown that large investments will be made to promote the baby hatch project. In Shenzhen, the budget for every shelter is as high as 150,000 yuan ($24,739) in order to ensure it can guarantee the safety of the babies. After years of orientation to the efficiency of manufacturing social wealth, the Chinese government is now shifting attention to the fairness of distributing social wealth. Baby hatches are one of the leading examples.

Such a major project should not be hampered under the pressure of some minor concerns, which still lack solid evidence. However, these concerns could act as good reminders that China's social welfare system is still at a low level. According to a report by the Xinhua News Agency, 99 percent of babies dumped at the hatches have disabilities or serious illnesses. Two-thirds of their parents left notes tucked in the baby's clothing, saying they worry heavy medical expenses would crush their financially vulnerable families. Baby hatches are a good start, but there is much more to be done. Improving social welfare is an imperative for Chinese government and society, and it will also pose great challenges to China's social and financial management.