SHANGHAI - In the face of an aging population in this coastal city, the government should improve the social welfare system and encourage more eligible couples to have a second child, a political adviser suggested.

"Shanghai is challenged with a tough demographic situation. The combined pressure of a low birth rate and a growing elderly population hinders the city's sustainable development," said Meng Yankun, the city's political adviser.

People under 14 account for 19 percent of the national population, while among Shanghai's 13 million registered population, the percentage is only 8.4 percent.