China has officially stopped the adoption of its children by foreign families, a decision that may affect many families in the United States. This policy change was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, signaling a significant shift in how China handles international adoptions. During a press conference on September 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “China will not send children abroad for adoption.” She added that this decision aligns with international agreements. While the new policy halts foreign adoptions, it does allow exceptions for foreigners who wish to adopt stepchildren or relatives within three generations living in China.
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged this change and noted that it impacts all pending adoptions, including those in the U.S. The embassy in Beijing is seeking further details from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs. A spokesperson from the State Department expressed understanding for the hundreds of families affected by this situation and reiterated that intercountry adoption remains a top priority for them.
The announcement that China will stop intercountry adoptions is quite disheartening. This decision affects many children who will remain in orphanages rather than finding loving families. It also impacts families who have been matched with a child and have been waiting for years to complete the adoption process. According to a report by the Associated Press in January, China’s population has been decreasing for the second consecutive year, now at around 1.4 billion. In response to various concerns, the Chinese government has made changes, including the end of the one-child policy in 2015, which had been in place for 36 years.
