A million Chinese couples apply for second child

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, state-run Xinhua news agency cited Mao Qunan, a commission spokesman, as saying at a press conference Monday.

Since China's one-child policy was eased in a pilot programme 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 would put in more efforts toward improving the population monitoring mechanism and would stipulate relevant policies.

"We will also collect public opinion on healthcare for pregnant women and children in a timely manner," Mao added.