Need seen as 'urgent' for boosting population

While many Chinese expect that a universal two-child policy will come soon, some experts have called for more aggressive steps to address the nation's population challenges, which include a declining labor force and a rapidly aging population.

Mu Guangzong, a demographics expert at Peking University, said immediate measures are needed to fuel population growth.

These should include nursing subsidies for couples having more than one child, longer maternity leave for parents and easier access to education and health services, he said.