Sichuan province to offer extended marriage and maternity leave
HONG KONG : Health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province are proposing to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a 'fertility-friendly society' which boosts the country's population.
The move comes as China's government struggles to boost birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024 and experts have cautioned the downturn will continue to worsen.
Sichuan's Health Commission, which published the draft on its website, is seeking public opinion and comments from May 30 to June 30. Sichuan province has a population of 84 million, more than most countries including Germany and the United Kingdom.
The proposal would extend marriage leave by 400% from the five days currently given and more than double the existing 60-day maternity leave period.
Sichuan also plans to extend paternity leave to 30 days from 20 days to 'facilitate the care of men for their wives after childbirth and help advocate that couples share the responsibility of raising children', authorities said.
The province has emerged as one of the more progressive in China. It has allowed unmarried women to access IVF treatment and in 2023 authorities there announced that unmarried individuals would be eligible for benefits reserved for married couples.
China's birth rates have been falling for decades as a result of the one-child policy China implemented from 1980 to 2015 as well as rapid urbanisation.
The high cost of childcare and education as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have also discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family.
Authorities rolled out a series of 'fertility friendly' measures in 2024 to minimise the challenge of having roughly 300 million Chinese expected to enter retirement in the coming decade – the equivalent of almost the entire US population.
Measures include urging China's colleges and universities to provide 'love education' to emphasize positive views on marriage, love, fertility and family.
In November, China's State Council, or cabinet, rallied local governments to direct resources towards fixing China's population crisis and spread respect for childbearing and marriages 'at the right age'.
More than 2.6 million couples filed for divorce last year, the data showed, up 1.1% from 2.59 million in 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
EU-China talks test unity as tariffs and war frictions dominate
EXPECTATIONS are rock-bottom for a European Union-China summit today that will test European resolve and unity as the bloc faces intense trade pressure from Beijing and the United States, analysts say. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa plan to press Chinese leaders on rare earths and the war in Ukraine, both areas of tension, during the summit in Beijing. There is little hope for headway, at a time both sides face major challenges sustaining economic growth and Europe struggles to shore up support for Ukraine. Both sides may reach a modest joint statement on climate, a source familiar with the planning said, but no other tangible achievements are expected. In recent speeches, von der Leyen has revived hawkish China rhetoric, accusing China on July 8 of "enabling Russia's war economy" and flooding global markets with overcapacity. "We know that we don't see eye to eye with China on many issues, but we believe that it is essential to have this kind of very direct and open and constructive conversation," said one EU official. A spokesperson for the European Commission referred to a statement announcing the summit, which said leaders would discuss ways of ensuring "a more balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade relationship". In response to Reuters' questions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry referred to a spokesperson's statement on Monday. "Some people in Europe continue to ... exaggerate specific economic and trade issues and make groundless accusations against China on the Ukraine issue, causing unnecessary interference to China-EU relations," its spokesperson said. The 27-member European Union has also been negotiating hard with Washington after President Donald Trump threatened 30 per cent tariffs on most EU exports from Aug 1, with prospects for a broader trade deal fading. At the Beijing summit, China hopes to press the EU for a solution to its tariffs on China-built electric vehicles, for which Beijing claims price commitment negotiations are in the "final stages". Last week, China threatened to respond to EU sanctions on two Chinese banks and five firms over the Ukraine war. Its Commerce Ministry said on Monday the sanctions "seriously harmed trade, economic and financial ties". Other trade disputes are simmering in the background. China retaliated against EU restrictions on medical device procurement with its own curbs on July 6, and slapped duties on French cognac producers. China's exports to the EU grew in May while its US exports plunged 34.5 per cent in value terms the same month, sparking fears Chinese trade overcapacity is being diverted to the bloc due to US tariffs on Chinese goods. There is also a growing sense that EU firms are collateral damage for China's rare earth export controls that primarily targeted Washington but have disrupted European defence and automotive supply chains. In return for concessions on rare earths, China's asks could include reviving a long-stalled investment agreement after Beijing lifted sanctions on European Parliament members in May, and pushing back on US export curbs on Dutch firm ASML's chipmaking equipment. China has raised both in the weeks leading up to the summit, two sources familiar with the matter said. "The mood is extremely pessimistic in Europe regarding the summit," said Mathieu Duchatel, a director at the Institut Montaigne think tank in Paris. He said that Washington rejected previous EU proposals for coordination on China policy. "There is a sense that the gloves are completely off on the Chinese side. "They sense the transatlantic relationship has weakened and are trying to seize the opportunity." Diplomats and analysts also say that China is growing increasingly frustrated behind closed doors with European officials' repeated insistence on the war in Ukraine, which Beijing views as an obstacle in the relationship. There is little space for constructive dialogue on this, another EU official said, with Chinese counterparts denying evidence of Chinese firms' involvement in supplying dual-use goods to Russia.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Japan's PM Ishiba to announce resignation next month, says Mainichi
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to meet ruling party heavyweights later today for discussions on the election outcome. (AP pic) TOKYO : Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to announce his resignation by the end of next month, the Mainichi newspaper reported today. Ishiba is facing growing opposition from within his Liberal Democratic Party for his vow to stay in power despite the ruling coalition's bruising defeat in Sunday's upper house election. According to the Yomiuri daily, Ishiba told his close associates yesterday evening that he would explain how he would take responsibility for the election loss once a solution was reached on trade negotiations. In a post on Truth Social posted today, Asian hours, US President Donald Trump said he had just completed a 'massive' deal with Japan that included US$550 billion in investments into the US. Speaking after Trump's post, Ishiba said he was ready to meet or speak over the phone with Trump after being briefed on the details by Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who has been in Washington for trade talks. 'I can't say until I scrutinise the outcome of the agreement,' Ishiba told reporters when asked how the deal with Washington could affect his decision on whether to step down. In explaining his decision to stay on, Ishiba has stressed the need to avoid creating a political vacuum as Japan faced challenges including difficult trade negotiations with the US that would have a huge impact on the export-reliant economy. 'I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path toward resolving these challenges,' Ishiba said in a news conference on Monday, adding that he intended to speak directly with Trump as soon as possible and deliver tangible results. Ishiba is expected to meet ruling party heavyweights later today for discussions on the election outcome.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Corporate Malaysia's Q2 earnings likely to be damp squib
Maybank Investment Bank forecasts a modest 2.5% earnings growth for the FBM KLCI in 2025. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Investors hoping for better second-quarter (Q2) earnings from listed companies will likely be left high and dry as Corporate Malaysia is expected to continue the underperformance of Q1 2025. Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said the upcoming Q2 results season may be muted, reflecting challenges from external uncertainties, particularly the ongoing US-Malaysia tariff negotiations. 'The Q2 results season may yet be another unexciting one but at least one with fewer earnings downgrades,' it said in a strategy note. The research house forecasts a modest 2.5% earnings growth for the FBM KLCI this year, primarily weighed down by the banking sector. However, it anticipates a stronger rebound in 2026 with a projected growth of 7.7%. It has a base case target of 1,660 points for the FBM KLCI, pegged to 14.4 times 2026 estimated price-to-earnings ratio (PER). 'Our base case assumes further de-escalation in trade tensions and favourable outcome from tariff negotiations,' it added. Some bright spots Despite the softer external environment, Maybank IB said there are 'bright spots' to be found. It noted Malaysia's domestic economic fundamentals appear encouraging, pointing to robust consumer activity, a sustained investment cycle, and signs of resilient private demand as cushioning the impact of weaker exports. The economy grew at 4.5% in Q2, slightly faster than the 4.4% year-on-year growth in Q1 as resilient consumer demand offset weaker exports. This suggests a steady growth momentum and indicates external headwinds due to US tariffs are being mitigated by domestic tailwinds, it noted. Maybank IB said investors should watch out for weakness in the technology sector. Banks are 'unlikely to yield much surprise' even as it watches for lower loan growth. However, it expects some positive momentum for construction, healthcare, property, and more selectively, the oil and gas, and utilities sectors. It said most plantation companies would be weaker quarter-on-quarter due to lower crude palm oil prices, though some could book gains from disposal and forex exchange movements. Consumer and real estate investment trusts are expected to be softer, after a seasonally strong first quarter.
