Why maternity leave is such a hot issue

You'd think offering mothers of newborns more paid time off would be music to the ears of those planning to have a family one day, but not all women have welcomed moves by China's provinces to extend paid maternity leave.

Since 2012, Chinese women have been entitled to at least 98 days paid maternity leave. But since the introduction of the two-child policy at the start of last year, many provinces and regions keen to lift the birth rate now require employers to go above and beyond that, resulting in a patchwork of incentives for new parents across China.

The Tibet autonomous region is set to become the most generous in the country, granting mothers a whole year at home with their newborns. Fathers will also be able to access 30 days paid leave.