1 mln Chinese couples apply to have second child   

中国各地已启动单独两孩政策 近百万对夫妇提申请

国家卫计委宣传司司长、新闻发言人毛群安今日在卫计委2015年首次例行发布会上公布了2014年度的卫生计生十大新闻事件。“单独两孩”政策在全国各地实施，将近100万对单独夫妇提出再生育申请等事件入选。 [查看全文]

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.