Beijing awarding couples to forgo second child

Beijing couples that qualify to have a second child but choose not to do so are eligible for an award of at least 500 yuan ($80), but none have yet claimed the payment, Beijing Morning Post reported on Monday.

A regulation passed in 2003 stipulated that only couples in which both parents were only children could have second children. That regulation was relaxed on Feb 21, allowing couples to have a second child if either parent is an only child.

Chang Zheng, director of the family planning office for the Chaoyangmen community, said eligible couples, of which either is an only child, have to first apply to have a second child and then sign a statement to give up that chance before receiving the payment.

Only women younger than 49 are qualified for the award, but there is no age restriction for men.

No couples have yet applied for the payment, the report said.