China's one-child policy may ease further

The ruling Communist Party imposed strict rules in the late 1970s to limit population growth, with most urban couples restricted to a single offspring. A relaxation in the regulations in late 2013, allowing couples to have two offspring if at least one parent was an only child, failed to see a marked increase in births. Li said that Beijing would assess the reform along with “China’s economic and social development situation” before any possible change in regulations.

“Both the pros and cons will be weighed and improvements, adjustments would only be made in accordance with legal procedures,” Li said. His comments marks a contrast to past declarations that family planning is a “fundamental national strategy” that cannot be “shaken”.