
BEIJING, Jan. 12 -- Nearly one million couples have applied to have a second child since China eased its one-child policy in 2014, allowing couples to have a second child if either parent is an only child.
The number of applications is in line with the estimate of less than two million annually by China's National Health and Family Planning Commission, said Mao Qunan, a spokesman with the commission, at a press conference on Monday.
Since China's one-child policy was eased in a pilot program in east China's Zhejiang Province in January 2014, couples nationwide may now have a second child if either parent is an only child.
Mao said that the commission will put more effort toward improving the population monitoring mechanism and will stipulate relevant policies.
"We will also collect public opinion on health care for pregnant women and children in a timely manner," Mao added.
PLA soldiers operating vehicle-mounted guns in drill
Beauties dancing on the rings
Blind carpenter in E China's Jiangxi
Top 10 highest-paid sports teams in the world
In photos: China's WZ-10 armed helicopters
UFO spotted in several places in China
Certificates of land title of Qing Dynasty and Republic of China
Cute young Taoist priest in Beijing
New film brings Doraemon's life story to China in 3D
China-S.Korea FTA sets positive precedent
Ferry carrying 458 people sinks in Yangtze River
Mecca of Marxism
Bring them homeDay|Week