China's Population to Peak at 1.45 Billion: Officials
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Elder sister (L) watches her little brother sleeping. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese officials are suggesting population figures are not going to get out control, despite the relaxation of the family planning policy.

Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, says demograpic models suggest the population in China is going to eventually peak at 1.45-billion.

"According to our survey, 90 million couples are now permitted to have a second child. The country's total population will keep on growing over the upcoming years, especially the population of new born babies. By 2050, the population at working age is expected to see an increase of 30 million, while the proportion of aged people will drop. Then China's demographic structure will reach a balance."

China's current population sits at around 1.34-billion.

Meanwhile, addressing concerns about social issues connected to the loosening of the family planning restrictions, Li Bin says parents with two children are going to have options when it comes to pre-school education.

"The Education Ministry has already taken measures to increase public kindergartens, and social sources should be encouraged and guided to get involved in setting up inclusive kindergartens. Local governments have been asked to promote the construction of community-based nurseries for infants and children up to three years of age. We also encourage the women-workers-intensive institutions to restore their nursery facilities."

The decades-old 'one child' policy was eliminated this year, allowing married couples in China to have two children.

Authorities expect this should allow for an extra 3 million children to be born every year in China.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan