New family planning policy beneficial but it requires supporting policies

A NEW FAMILY PLANNING POLICY was implemented last year, which, in principle, allows every couple to have two children. On Sunday, the National Health and Family Planning Commission announced that over 45 percent of the newborns that year were the second or third children in their family, which was around 30 percent before 2016. China Youth Daily comments:

Some experts say that 45 percent is much higher than 30 percent so the policy is working. However, considering that many couples had "illegally" given birth to a second or third child before 2016, the growth is probably not so significant.

On the contrary, many couples are reportedly unwilling to give birth to a second child. In some cities, the local governments reportedly "prompt" couples to give birth to second children.