Jiangsu fathers get extra paternity leave

Working fathers in East China's Jiangsu province can now take up to 30 days paid paternity leave to care for their newborns - double the amount of time in most other Chinese provinces.

The Jiangsu government's legal office has drafted a local regulation to solicit public opinions on the change, which stipulates that new fathers can have 15 days paternity leave and an additional 15 days of "joint parental leave".

It is designed to "promote gender equality in employment" and "encourage husbands and wives to share the housework", the government said. The move has been welcomed by parents and netizens alike.