Authorities will also foster "positive attitudes towards marriage and childbearing", according to an official government report. 

China's tech focus comes amid its rapidly ageing workforce, looming demographic crisis and fierce battle with the United States for supremacy in core technologies.

The Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka's territorial waters a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors.

With much of India’s oil and gas trade flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption there could quickly ripple across its economy, observers say.