BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers began reviewing the country's first draft childcare services law on Monday, a major legislative step to ease child-rearing burdens and cope with demographic challenges.

The draft is being reviewed over its first reading this week at an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the national legislature.

The bill, which is designed to regulate childcare services for children under the age of 3, is poised to lighten the load on families, increase the availability of services, and bolster protections for the health and safety of infants and toddlers through professional, science-backed care.

But why is China introducing such legislation now? How does the draft law aim to lower costs and expand the supply of child care? How will it ensure children's health and safety?

WHY NOW?

As family structures evolve and dual-income households become more common, the demand for childcare services in China has surged. Caring for children under the age of 3 -- a task once primarily managed within extended families -- has become an increasingly pressing challenge for many new parents.

According to official data, China currently has approximately 126,000 childcare institutions providing a total of more than 6.6 million places, but the number of children under the age of 3 in the country is estimated to be around 30 million. Gaps in availability, uneven regional distribution and high costs remain persistent concerns.

While several policy documents on child care have been introduced in recent years, experts note that the absence of a dedicated law has made long-term funding stability and consistent regulation challenging.

The draft law proposes the gradual incorporation of inclusive childcare services into the basic public services system -- a move that He Dan, head of the National Health Commission's China Population and Development Research Center, sees as reflective of the government's commitment and conviction to reduce family caregiving costs, strengthen childbirth support policies, and foster high-quality population development.

HOW TO LOWER COSTS AND EXPAND THE SUPPLY?

A defining feature of the draft law is its clear positioning of child care as a government-led public service, while encouraging the regulated participation of social organizations and other service providers.

The draft stipulates that governments at or above the county level should integrate childcare service development into economic and social planning, include related spending in public budgets, and establish funding mechanisms suited to local conditions.

Experts have elaborated that this approach considers regional disparities in development and helps clarify spending responsibilities, thereby creating a more stable system for long-term public investment.

Song Jian, a professor at the Center for Population and Development Studies of Renmin University of China, emphasized that by promoting diverse childcare options while prioritizing accessibility and affordability, the draft aims to expand capacities and improve convenience for families, especially at the community level.

By increasing the supply of public and inclusive childcare services, it also aims to gradually reduce prices and lower the overall cost of raising children.

HOW TO ENSURE CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND SAFETY?

The draft law revolves around the well-being and safety of infants and toddlers.

To ensure this, it introduces strict licensing requirements for childcare institutions, mandating compliance with established standards as well as the creation of information disclosure and safety management systems.

Zhang Li, deputy dean of the Law School, the China University of Political Science and Law, said that the licensing system would allow regulators to conduct pre-emptive reviews, raise entry barriers, and block unqualified institutions from entering the sector.

He added that public information disclosure would improve transparency and strengthen parental trust through social oversight.

The draft also tightens professional requirements for service providers, proposing a national qualification exam and registration system. Those with a criminal record related to violence, abuse, trafficking, sexual offenses, substance abuse or other serious crimes would be barred from the sector.

Once adopted, the law will mandate oversight to reduce risks, enhance service quality, and safeguard children's physical and mental health. That will include a national childcare standards system, regular quality assessments by health authorities and timely disclosure of the results. ■