Society

Faced with the twin demographic challenges of a low fertility rate and a graying population, China is spearheading systemic policy innovations and people-oriented practices to bolster birth rates, boost consumption and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth in the coming decades and beyond.

This strategic emphasis on encouraging childbirth was underscored earlier this month during China's national "two sessions," where the term "provide childcare subsidies" was included for the first time in the annual government work report.

China will soon offer nationwide access to its cross-regional marriage registration service, following a recent revision of the regulations governing marriage registration, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday.

Under the new rules, couples will no longer need to register marriages in the location of their hukou, which is permanent household registration. Instead, they will be able to choose a registry office in the habitual residence of either party, removing a significant logistical barrier.

Visitor interacts with an AI-powered digital cat at a newly opened shop in Zhuyi village, Chongzhou, Sichuan province, on March 15, 2025. 

A digital cat in a village in Chongzhou, Sichuan province, has become a local star promoter since it started working just over a week ago.

Named Meow Buddy, the AI-powered agent resides in a 3D holographic pod at a newly opened shop in Zhuyi village in Daoming township.

The geopolitics of artificial intelligence will be in focus at a major summit in France where world leaders, executives and experts will hammer out pledges on guiding the development of the rapidly advancing technology.

It’s the latest in a series of global dialogues around AI governance, but one that comes at a fresh inflection point as China’s buzzy and budget-friendly DeepSeek chatbot shakes up the industry.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance — making his first trip abroad since taking office — will attend the Paris AI Action Summit starting Feb. 10, while China’s President Xi Jinping will be sending his special envoy, signaling high stakes for the meeting.