http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34665539All couples will now be allowed to have two children, the state-run news agency said, citing a statement from the Communist Party. The controversial policy was introduced nationally in 1979, to reduce the country's birth rate and slow the population growth rate. However, concerns at China's ageing population led to pressure for change. The one-child policy is estimated to have prevented about 400m births since it began.