China's population policy has been changing with time and demands. Since 2013, having two children is encouraged.

Today, besides the financial burden, how to further your career is a major worry for many, especially women, when coming face to face with the topic of having more children. They must try hard to maintain the balance between family and work in their 30s and 40s, critical periods for both individual development and fertility. 

According to a report released by 51job.com, a leading human resource service provider, 55.2 percent of unmarried women said getting married or having a baby would affect their career advancement, while 41.4 percent of married women held the same opinion.

To relieve the burden of the women's role, paternity leave was one of the key topics during this year's Two Sessions—the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Additionally, several NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members also suggested creating a better social environment for couples having children in terms of taxation, education, medical care, and employment.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China will transition to a moderately aging society, seeing a greater decline in labor supply. Borrowing from the experience of developed countries, the nation's current low fertility rate should be dealt with as soon as possible.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Oriental Outlook on April 1    

(Print Edition Title: To Have More Children)