Mumbai, September 29: The Chinese government has reportedly asked its soldiers to have more children and bear childbearing responsibility. The development comes nearly a year after China's population shrank for the first time in 61 years. The move by the Chinese government is seen as a way to boost new births in the country besides making military careers an attractive option for youngsters.

As per a report in Voice of America, communist leaders of China have reportedly issued a new executive order over family planning and the military, reports Wion News. The order has allegedly come into effect from September 10. While full details of the plan have not been made public, reports in Chinese state media state that the new policy will "standardise adjustments in [planned] births, incentives, related services." World Population Forecast For 2100: India to Remain Most Populous Country in World by the End of 21st Century, Here’s How Much Country’s Population Would Be in Year 2100.

Reportedly, the new policy will also form "a complete chain" from childbirth to child care "with full technical support," the report stated. Several posts on official accounts of the Chinese military on Chinese social media also suggest that soldiers are being offered incentives under the new policy.

As per the incentives, soldiers who are new parents are likely to get five-day vacation in a year. The report also said that the five-day leave will only be granted to military personnel whose children are under three years of age. The possibility of newly enlisted soldiers visiting their families in the first two years of their service is also being hinted at. State of World Population 2023: India Overtakes China to Become Most Populous Country in the World, Says UN Report.

Besides leave, there are monetary incentives as well. China, which was once the world's most populous country, was surpassed by India recently. It must be noted for several decades, China had a very strict policy of "One Child" which seems to be the reason why China lost the spot of the world's most populous country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2023 04:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).