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Shanghai backs 'two-child policy' Shanghai backs 'two-child policy'
(29 minutes later)
The government in the Chinese city of Shanghai is to encourage some parents to have a second child.The government in the Chinese city of Shanghai is to encourage some parents to have a second child.
The China Daily newspaper reported that only parents who were themselves both only children would be eligible.The China Daily newspaper reported that only parents who were themselves both only children would be eligible.
The goal is to reduce the proportion of aging people in the population, and reduce future workforce shortages.The goal is to reduce the proportion of aging people in the population, and reduce future workforce shortages.
Decades of a strictly enforced one-child policy has produced new strains across the population and prompted exceptions in some family categories.Decades of a strictly enforced one-child policy has produced new strains across the population and prompted exceptions in some family categories.
China's family planning policy has been relaxed in recent years to allow second children, but what is different now is that Shanghai is actively encouraging the change.China's family planning policy has been relaxed in recent years to allow second children, but what is different now is that Shanghai is actively encouraging the change.
Family planning officials and volunteers will make home visits and slip leaflets under doors to encourage couples to have a second child if both grew up as only children, the China Daily said.Family planning officials and volunteers will make home visits and slip leaflets under doors to encourage couples to have a second child if both grew up as only children, the China Daily said.
Emotional and financial counselling will also be provided, officials said.Emotional and financial counselling will also be provided, officials said.
Policy relaxedPolicy relaxed
"We advocate eligible couples to have two kids because it can help reduce the proportion of the aging people and alleviate a workforce shortage in the future," said Xie Lingli, director of the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission."We advocate eligible couples to have two kids because it can help reduce the proportion of the aging people and alleviate a workforce shortage in the future," said Xie Lingli, director of the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission.
If family finance permits, I want to have two kids with my wife in the future Xiao Wang Has the one-child policy worked? China's 'perfect child' generation Grey areas in one-child policy
Shanghai, the country's most populous city, has more than three million registered residents aged 60 and above, nearly 22% of the population. By 2020, the proportion is expected to rise to about 34%, the China Daily said.Shanghai, the country's most populous city, has more than three million registered residents aged 60 and above, nearly 22% of the population. By 2020, the proportion is expected to rise to about 34%, the China Daily said.
The state-controlled newspaper quoted one salesman who said he was cheered by the new attitude.The state-controlled newspaper quoted one salesman who said he was cheered by the new attitude.
Shanghai is apparently considered wealthy enough to cope
"I'm not sure, but such policy really gives us one more option. If family finance permits, I want to have two kids with my wife in the future," said 25-year-old Xiao Wang, who works at a local company."I'm not sure, but such policy really gives us one more option. If family finance permits, I want to have two kids with my wife in the future," said 25-year-old Xiao Wang, who works at a local company.
But the paper also highlighted objections to the idea.But the paper also highlighted objections to the idea.
"I don't think we will have a second kid," said 26-year-old Xiao Chen, an office worker. "After all, it is stressful work raising a child.""I don't think we will have a second kid," said 26-year-old Xiao Chen, an office worker. "After all, it is stressful work raising a child."
Couples who ignore China's birth control policies usually pay fines and may face discrimination at work.Couples who ignore China's birth control policies usually pay fines and may face discrimination at work.
The many only children of China have earned the nickname of "little emperors" for the love and treats lavished upon them.The many only children of China have earned the nickname of "little emperors" for the love and treats lavished upon them.
China's birth-control policies have been hugely controversial at home and abroad, as enforcement has involved forced abortions and other abuses.China's birth-control policies have been hugely controversial at home and abroad, as enforcement has involved forced abortions and other abuses.
It has also been blamed for a gender imbalance, as a traditional preference for boys has persuaded some parents to abort girl foetuses.It has also been blamed for a gender imbalance, as a traditional preference for boys has persuaded some parents to abort girl foetuses.


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