Xue Zhaofeng, one of the co-signers and chairman of Peking University's Institute of Law and Economics, told the Global Times that the family planning policy is a key contributor to China's rapidly aging population. He suggests that there will soon not be enough young workers to support the aged population.

Liang Zhongtang, former expert with the National Population and Family Planning Commission and a critic of the family planning policy told the Global Times he is not optimistic the proposal will lead to changes in the family planning policy.

Liang refused to sign the proposal.

"It's useless. Until policymakers decide it's time for a change nothing will happen," Liang told the Global Times Thursday.

In October the China Development Research Foundation under the State Council also called for changes to the family planning policy. It said the policy should be loosened over the coming three years and ended by 2020.