More than 30,000
couples based in Beijing, the capital of China, have applied to have a second
child since the capital eased its one-child policy in February of last year,
the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning said Monday.
Of the 30,305
applicants, 28,778 were approved. The number is lower than the 50,000 expected,
the deputy head of the commission, Zhong Dongbo, said at a press conference.
“A lot of couples who
may have a second child have chosen not to have them this year, but this does
not mean that they won’t have them in the future,” Zhong said. “Maybe they’re
just not ready.”
“Economic cost,” “time
cost” and “one child is enough” are believed to be the top reasons for not
having a second child, Zhong added.
Beijing will still be
prepared for an increase of 50,000 births every year. An extra 1,000 beds will
be arranged in Beijing hospitals within three years, Zhong said.
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