BEIJING
China's National Health and Family Planning Commission has said that nearly one million couples have applied to have a second child since the country eased its one-child policy.
The change to the restriction allows couples to have a second child if either parent is an only child. It was relaxed in a pilot program in east China's Zhejiang Province in Jan. 2014 and has since been expanded nationwide.
China's state news agency Xinhua reported Monday that Mao Qunan, a spokesman with the commission, had said that the number of applications was in line with the commission's estimate of less than two million annually.
Mao added that the commission will put more effort into improving population monitoring mechanisms and will stipulate relevant policies.
"We will also collect public opinion on healthcare for pregnant women and children in a timely manner," he added.
