China has made a significant announcement, ending its international adoption program, effective immediately. The decision marks the end of an initiative that saw tens of thousands of Chinese-born children join families in the US and other countries since the 1990s. The confirmation came from Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, who stated that China would no longer allow intercountry adoption of Chinese citizens. The only exception will be for blood relatives to adopt a child or a stepchild.
While the Chinese official offered no specific reasons for the decision, she noted that it aligns with “the spirit of relevant international conventions.” The announcement has left hundreds of American families in a state of uncertainty, as many have pending adoption applications. The US has sought clarification on the decision’s impact on these families, but Beijing has made it clear that it will not continue to process cases, except for the aforementioned exceptions.
The US State Department acknowledged the situation, stating that they are seeking further written clarification from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs. The department expressed sympathy for the families affected, noting that hundreds are still awaiting the completion of their adoption processes.
The decision carries significant weight for the US, as American families have adopted over 80,000 children from China, more than any other foreign nation. While international adoption from China has been declining in recent years, the pandemic played a major role in putting the process on hold.
The decision can be understood within the context of broader trends. Over recent years, many nations have tightened restrictions on international adoption, citing concerns over child trafficking and the exploitation of children. Additionally, China’s own demographic shift, from overpopulation to sharply slowing birthrates, has contributed to the decision.
The end of this program marks the closure of a decades-old initiative. In the 1990s, China’s one-child policy led to the tightening of rules against families placing children born outside of the policy with relatives. This resulted in an increase in the number of children in state orphanages, paving the way for international adoption.
China formally approved overseas adoption in 1992, quickly becoming a leading country of origin for adoptions. Data from Newcastle University reveals that between 2004 and 2022, over 89,000 children from China were adopted by families in over two dozen nations. The peak of US adoptions from China occurred in 2005, when more than 7,900 Chinese children were adopted by American families. However, the following year, Chinese media reported on the trial of a trafficking ring that had been selling babies to six orphanages in Hunan province.
Following this revelation, China tightened international adoption rules and punished local officials. While China is not the only country to halt international adoption, other nations like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway are also taking similar steps. These moves often stem from concerns about child trafficking, exploitation, and allegations of wrongdoing in the adoption process.
The end of China’s international adoption program marks a significant shift in the landscape of global adoption. It raises important questions about the future of intercountry adoption and the ethical considerations surrounding it. The impact on the hundreds of American families waiting to adopt remains unclear, highlighting the need for further clarification from both the Chinese and US governments.
