China formally eases controversial one-child policy

China has formally approved a loosening of the country's hugely controversial one-child policy.

The country's top legislative committee has also abolished camps for 're-education through labor'.

According to Japan Times, the decisions were taken by the standing committee of the National People's Congress, China's rubber-stamp parliament.

The loosening of the one-child policy will allow couples where either parent has no siblings to have two children.

The abolition of re-education through labor, known as "laojiao," will see existing inmates freed, the report added.