Refl etions on the New Two-Child Fertility Policy

In conducting a more extensive and in-depth analysis of the new two-child policy,this article summarizes,and provides new interpretations and rethinking or the new family planning policy by looking at China’s fertility level with lifetime and regional perspectives.Research shows that women’s lifetime fertility level is not as low as the period fertility level,and China has not fallen into the "low fertility trap".A fundamental feature of China’s fertility pattern is the large regional differences.Adjustment of fertility policy needs an overall consideration.It is too early to suggest that the new fertility policy has had effects that are far below expectations when the policy has just been implemented for one year.The new fertility policy is transitional,and plays a role of reducing birth accumulation when moving to a universal two-child policy.Policy adjustment and change will bring about a full range of social impacts.