The time has come for the first big step: a switch to a two-child policy.

ECONOMIST: China's population

In many other areas, something more like a two-child policy has been emerging.

ECONOMIST: Rethinking China's one-child policy

That means a nationwide two-child policy is unlikely before 2015, they say.

WSJ: China's One-Child Plan Faces New Fire

Yicheng, it said, had been trying a two-child policy for 25 years.

ECONOMIST: Rethinking China's one-child policy

Mr Mu argues that a two-child policy is long overdue.

ECONOMIST: China