Family planning mandarins in central China have slapped a record $77,000 fine on a private entrepreneur for flouting the world?s most populous nation?s strict ?one child? policy.

Family planning officials in Anhui province meted out the fine, the online edition of Xinhua news agency said in a report seen yesterday. It did not give the identity of the businessman.

?Regardless of whether one is rich or poor, everyone should be equal before the law when family planning rules are implemented,? Xinhuanet quoted Zhang Weiqing, minister of the National Population and Family Planning Commission, as saying.

China launched the one-child policy in 1980 to curb its population, now over 1.3 billion. Anhui?s population stood at 65.16 million as of Aug. 24 last year, the eighth-largest among China?s 31 provinces, regions and municipalities.

The restrictions, which vary from city to countryside, have bolstered a traditional preference for boys.