The bizarre scheme forms part of the Chinese government’s efforts to reverse a decline in the country’s birth rate, the South China Morning Post reports.

It marks a significant departure from previous policy, where families could be fined for having too many children as recently as 2021.

One Chinese woman, Jane Huang, 35, said she picked up the phone to hear: “[Hello!] Is that Ms Huang? Sorry to disturb you. I am from your sub district office, are you pregnant now?”

The official asked her about her most recent period and earnestly offered to give her a reminder call when it was “the right time” for the mother-of-one to conceive.

She eventually persuaded the government worker that she was not interested in having a second child.

Thousands of posts on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu recount similar experiences, according to CNA.