New policy gives equal rights for people to have children in all Xinjiang ethnic groups

URUMQI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Han people and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region now enjoy equal rights to have children, according to the regional government.

The newly-revised family planning regulations said urban couples could have two children at the most while rural couples could have three. Previously, only ethnic minority couples could have two children while urban Han couples could only have one.

Working mothers in the region can now have an extra 60 days of maternity leave in addition to the state required 98 days. A 15-day nursing leave is also granted to new fathers.

People who break family planning regulations will be recorded in the state credit system.