China will adhere to the family planning policy and endeavor to stabilize the low birth rate during the 11th Five-Year Plan Period (2006-2010), said Zhang Weiqing, minister in charge of the State Commission of Population and Family Planning, at a national conference recently.

Zhang pointed out the current family planning policy has been widely accepted because it is in line with China's basic condition and rules of population growth.

Previously there were rumors saying people would be allowed to have a second child.

Zhang noted that any adjustment to the family planning policy is subject to approval by the State Council and local governments had no rights to make changes.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan Period, China must stick to the current family planning policy, which serves as foundation and a key factor for lowering the birth level, said Zhang,

Zhang said family planning authorities at all levels should improve their understanding of the significance, difficulty and complexity of lowering birth rate, overcome blind optimism and take concrete measures to tackle various problems.

By People's Daily Online