China: parental leave extended in all provinces

Most Chinese provinces adopted new local rules on family planning through the second half of last year, with significant extensions to parental leave and the introduction of childcare leave, providing allowances that are more generous than those granted by national regulations. Such developments are in keeping with a broad new pro-natalist approach advocated by Beijing, however they have not (yet) been accompanied by protective measures, particularly for women, who risk being undermined by this apparent progress.