But any hopes the country might relax its family planning policy have been dashed.

China needs top-down guidance on its population policy to rule out possible demographic problems including aging in the future, Ma Xiaohe, deputy chief of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the NDRC, told the Global Times.

Wang Feng, deputy chief of the Committee on Organizational Structure of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, clarified Monday that the family planning policy would remain in place.

"Tension between the population and resources still exists. Leaders of both the Party and administrative organs are held accountable for the implementation of this policy, which is linked to their evaluation," Wang explained.

However, Li noted whether the policy will be adjusted in the short-term remains unknown, adding possible strengthening or loosening would depend on the state of development.