One of the hotly debated issues is China's family planning policy. The birth rate fell last year, alarming government officials who had confidently predicted a baby boom following the relaxation of the one-child policy in early 2016. CGTN correspondent Han Bin talks to policy advisors and couples about the reasons.

Starting in 2016, couples in China were allowed to have a second child.

YU JINYAO, CPPCC MEMBER SENIOR RESEARCHER, CASS "The two-child policy has been implemented, but the fertility rate has yet to rise sharply. The old tradition of having children to take care of the elderly has disappeared. Even if you have two or three children, they will not be able to look after you. Society is very mobile."

Many parents have dreamed of having a second child. But most couples are very hesitant.

YU WENXIU BEIJING RESIDENT "Having a baby is very demanding. If you don't have grandparents to help, you can't go to work. There's so much difficulty."

HAN BIN "An aging society is a reality for many countries. China, as a result of decades of a 'one-child policy', is growing old before it is getting rich. Will the government adopt new measures to encourage couples to have a second child?"

He Ningyuan and Ding Qi have two children.

HE NINGYUAN BAR OWNER "Most kids today are the only kid in their family. They might be more independent, but think too much about themselves. I don't want them to be alone."

DING QI STAY-AT-HOME MOTHER "Without the right financial conditions, they can't have another child."

YU JINYAO，CPPCC MEMBER SENIOR RESEARCHER, CASS "China's aging problem is largely related to the family planning policy. My proposal this year is to look after the elderly people with only one child. China used to focus on population control. Now it should focus on its quality and structure. Dealing with the aging issue relies mainly on state policy. If fertility continues to drop, it's necessary to take measures, like on taxes or other subsidies."

ZHANG QIONG BEIJING RESIDENT "Maternity leave should be longer. The education threshold and fees for the second should be lowered. Beijingers can buy two housing units, but outsiders can buy only one. At least the policy should allow us to purchase a second home."

DING QI STAY-AT-HOME MOTHER "The burden of raising a second child has yet to crush my life. Then, do you want a third child? No!"

HAN BIN "There's been a lot of talk about whether the government should to more encourage couples to have (more) children. No new policies are being released during this year's political season. But there's a growing consensus, that the disappearing demographic advantage is becoming a real threat to development. Han Bin, CGTN."