China’s capital plans to relax some of its tough “one couple, one child” family planning rules to allow more people to have a second baby.

The step highlights the rapid social changes in a country that is growing wealthier more quickly than anywhere else on earth, resulting in a new class of urban yuppies who want to enjoy the good times without being tied down by family.

Currently only couples in which both husband and wife are only children are permitted to have a second child — and then only after a gap of at least four years between babies. That would now change with the gap to be eliminated — as has already been done in 11 other provinces and municipalities.

Under the new policy, which has yet to be formally implemented, couples in which only one partner has no siblings would be granted the same privilege as two “only child” parents to have a second baby.

That would mark a first for China. The authorities appear to be anxious that urban couples are less willing to have a baby while their rural cousins take full advantage of policies allowing them a second if the first is a girl and after that they simply ignore the rules if they can get away with it.

Zhong Jing is 35 and gave birth to her first baby — a daughter — two months ago. The Beijinger is an only child but her husband has brothers and sisters. They had not expected to have the chance for a second baby.

She said: “My feelings about this are complicated. My husband and my parents might want another child if the policy allows.” For Chinese, giving birth to a son is of paramount importance to ensure the family line — although many urban residents are quite happy nowadays to have a girl.

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