State media say China's Communist Party has decided to abolish one-child policy

BEIJING -- The official Xinhua News Agency says China's ruling Communist Party has decided to abolish the country's one-child policy and allow all couples to have two children.

The country has been moving in recent years toward easing restrictions that were introduced in 1980 as a way to curb the population and limit demands for water and other resources.

The decision announced Thursday removes all remaining restrictions that limited some couples to having only one child.