To boost the country’s falling birth rate, China will launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities to create a “new-era” marriage and childbearing culture to foster a friendly childbearing environment. China’s Family Planning Association will launch the projects to encourage women to marry and have children, state-backed Global Times reported on Monday. Promoting marrying, having children at appropriate ages, encouraging parents to share child-rearing responsibilities, and curbing high “bride prices” and other outdated customs are the focus of the projects, the Times said.