DHAKA: China’s health ministry on Thursday dampened speculation that the country could dump its one-child policy and allow families to have two.

The world’s most populous country has restricted most families to one child since the late 1970s, but its ruling Communist party said in November that couples would be allowed to have two children so long as one of the parents is an only child.

State media on Monday quoted senior family planning official Ma Xu as saying the government was researching the option of allowing all couples to have a second child, prompting speculation of a further relaxation.

But Health Minister Li Bin threw cold water on the possibility on Thursday, telling a press conference that ‘basic policy cannot be changed’ and adding there was ‘no timetable’ for more fundamental reforms, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2004 HRS, MAR 06, 2014