China denies full roll back of one-child policy

BEIJING: China today denied that it would completely roll back its three decades old one-child policy and permit all couples to have two children from next month.

"This speculation is without foundation," National Health and Family Planning Commission spokesperson Song Shuli said at a press conference.

She stressed that the family planning strategy should be maintained as the size of the population puts pressure on resources, environment as well as economic and social development.

The one-child policy in the country has been relaxed since late 2013, allowing couples to have a second child if at least one parent has no sibling.

The three-decade old policy was partially relaxed to address the issues of the strength of the labour force and the aging population.

Authorities are still assessing the implementation of the new birth policy, to prepare changes to the family planning regulation, according to the spokesperson.

"The initial relaxation is not the end, policy reform will continue," Song was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

Local authorities make adjustments to their family planning policies based on their own demographic structure, she added.