Authorities have claimed that the one-child policy has prevented more than 400 million births since it was first implemented in 1979. But other voices stress that the policy will cause labor shortages, and problems associated with a rapidly aging population in the near future.

For many, the draw of having more than one child is clear. Zhang Rui and her husband are both single children themselves. This means that under current policies, they automatically qualify to have a second child. They seem to have never questioned the decision.

Zhang Rui, mother of two, said, "Frankly speaking, since my husband and I qualified for a second child, we've been planning to have two children ever since we got engaged."

Today many others clamber for the chance to have a second child, but find them barred. But even if the restrictions are lifted, family planning will remain a serious issue. This is particularly true for a nation as populous as China.

Han Shuxia, head of nursing, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, said, "Based on my past experience, it is actually the upper and the bottom income groups who have planned or already have a second child. So the decision isn't influenced by one's financial background that much."

Researchers have recently been suggesting that there is an urgent need for a cool-headed review of China's demographic conditions. If the nation is to have a stable future, such issues certainly need to be addressed.

Prof. Zheng Zhenzhen, CASS, said, "Now our population growth has been brought down to a very low level, but the child bearing behaviors of Chinese people have changed as well. So today there are fewer families who want to have many children. That means it's time to consider relaxing the single child policy."

Researchers have also suggested that after China's labor population reaches its peak, it could see a huge gap between labor supply and demand unless the system is adjusted.

Prof. Zheng Zhenzhen also said, "We may improve the labor market situation a lot if we start to lose the current one child policy. To have more children born today means more people will be joining the labor market. That’s for sure."

According to the latest census, the country's labor-age population will peak at around 900 million within the decade, and we already start to experience shortage in the labor market as well as an aging population. Perhaps it is time to re-think about the policy which we decided 30 years ago; different opinions and debate will help to make informed decisions on soften lines for single child policy. In addition, what happens in China doesn't just stay in China; it will have impacts on the entire world's population.

(CNTV July 12, 2012)