Beijing to loosen control on one-child policy

Couples in Beijing may be allowed to have a second child even if their spouse has siblings, the Beijing News reported today.

Currently parents are only permitted to have a second child if they are both from an only-child generation.

Also couples who have remarried with no off-spring, have lost their child or have one born with disabilities will be allowed to have a second child.

Those entitled to conceive a second child will also no longer have to wait four years after their first has been born.

"Couple should have the right to decide when to have their second child," said Peng Yuhua, deputy head of Beijing Population and Planning Commission.

There are 60,000 to 70,000 new born babies in Beijing every year but the birth rate in the capital city has a negative growth tendency.

"According to natural law of stable human replacement, every woman should bear at least 2.1 children. The number now in China is leveled at 1.8, while Beijing comes down to 1 right now," said Peng.

Source: Chinadaily.com.cn