China extends maternity leave to boost births

Several regions in China have extended maternity leave by at least 30 days, in the latest attempt to encourage child-rearing as the country faces a demographic crisis fuelled by a record-low birth rate.

The changes follow the relaxation of strict family planning rules this year to allow families to have a third child -- as officials grapple with a rapidly ageing workforce and slowing economy.

Yesterday, Beijing's city government announced that women can now take 158 days of maternity leave, a bump up of 30 days.

Shanghai authorities announced similar changes beginning a day earlier. Last year, China recorded 8.52 births per 1,000 people.