China Halts Overseas Adoptions After Three Decades

China has announced it will no longer allow children to be adopted overseas, ending a thirty-year policy. More than 160,000 children, predominantly girls, have been adopted internationally since 1992. The policy change aligns with international trends and aims to address China's plunging birth rate and declining population.

China has officially announced an end to overseas adoptions, marking the close of a policy that began over three decades ago under its stringent one-child rule.

Since opening its doors to international adoption in 1992, over 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families worldwide, with the United States alone taking in around 82,000, mostly girls, according to China's Children International (CCI).

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning revealed that the revised policy aims to align with global trends. "Beyond adopting a child or stepchild of blood relatives within three generations, China will bar overseas adoptions," Mao stated. The change addresses the nation's demographic challenges as policymakers push for higher birth rates amid economic uncertainties.

(With inputs from agencies.)