First Chinese city grants child benefit

On Wednesday, the municipal government of Panzhihua in the province of Sichuan became the first Chinese city to announce subsidies for the second and third children of families. The monthly allowance is ¥500, equivalent to €65, and will be paid for each of the second and third children up to the age of three, the South China Morning Post reported. In 2019, the average monthly income in Panzhihua city was below ¥3500 per capita, equivalent to about €455. In addition, parents who have a municipal household registration are to receive free maternity care in hospitals in the city of 1.2 million people. Employers and state-owned enterprises in Panzhihua will be encouraged to set up more childcare facilities.