Heilongjiang to allow third child

Authorities in China’s northern province of Heilongjiang announced last week that couples who meet certain requirements will be permitted to have a third child to help counter the area’s ageing population. The provision will apply to overseas returnee couples and those from regions such as Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan. In addition, couples who live in one of 18 selected border counties and those who are members of specific ethnic minorities will also be permitted to have a third child. Another bid to mitigate the effects of an ageing population in the province saw local government officials extend marriage leave for newly-weds from 15 days to 25.

Authorities concerned over oyster catching

Last Saturday, a small group of residents were spotted harvesting oysters around Rua de Hac Sa, Long Chao Kok, according to a report by TDM. Some tourists were also spotted walking towards the shore. One of the people collecting oysters told the tourists that the oysters were only for personal consumption, and that they were not for sale. The Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) told reporters that the department is not sure whether these oysters meet the IACM’s food hygiene standards, and it recommends that residents refrain from eating them. The IACM website states that oysters might be contaminated if there are viruses in the water.