BEIJING: Declining birthrates in China were a top concern for some national legislators and political advisers attending the annual two sessions, which concluded last week, and they called for various measures to encourage couples to have children.
There is no question that a sustained low birthrate will have a negative impact on Chinese society, including a shortage of labour and increased average age, and hurt economic development, Yao Jinbo, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, said during its session in Beijing.