What’s new: China’s top legislature on Friday passed an amendment to its Population and Family Planning Law, in a move that legitimizes the recent three-child policy.
The amended law was passed on the last day of the 30th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
The amendment removes restrictions related to childbirth, including a fee that families were required to pay if they violated the previous family planning policy by giving birth to more than two children.
It also stipulates supportive measures for the policy shift in an effort to reduce burdens related to childbearing, childrearing and education. For example, medical institutions are required to offer health care services to pregnant women until they give birth.
According to the amendment, China aims to establish a universal childcare system to give more families with infants or toddlers access to such services.
The background: The move comes after Beijing decided in May to allow couples to have up to three children after the seventh national census showed that China had a low fertility rate under the two-child policy.
The amendment aims to boost fertility, optimize the demographic structure and promote balanced population development in the long run, Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said at a press conference on Aug. 13.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com)
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