Yearender 2015: Top 10 policy changes in China

Editor's note: Various new policies have been introduced in China in 2015. From the two-child policy to a unified pension system, from household permits for all to the delayed retirement age, all these policies will make a difference to the nation. Here we selected ten policy changes that we think will most impact our lives. Take a look.

A boy with his younger brother. [Photo provided by Zhai Xiaoyan to chinadaily.com.cn]

Two children for all couples

China will allow all couples to have two children, abandoning its decades-long one-child policy, the Communist Party of China announced in late October. The change is intended to balance population development and address the challenge of an ageing population.

Under the new policy, couples who have two children can enjoy longer maternity leave and they could have more than two children if eligible. Current longer marriage and maternity leaves enjoyed by citizens who marry late and delay having children will be removed, and so will the rewards for couples who volunteer to have only one child.

The two-child policy will come into force on Jan 1.