Experts say the government is deliberating whether or not to change the country's family planning policy to allow a couple to have a second child if one of them comes from a one-child family. The media have even speculated that the new rule could be implemented later this year or early next year.

Responding to media reports on the population policy, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said family planning authorities are conducting studies on the correlation among the size, quality, structure and distribution of the country's population, and will adjust the policy in due time.

But for the family planning policy to be adjust, the country has to maintain the low birth rate while taking steps to meet public needs, continue social and economic development, and benefit from its demographic dividends, the commission said.

Under the existing family planning policy, for most families in urban areas, both couples have to come from single-offspring families to have a second child, while couples in rural areas can have a second child if their first is a girl.