China Halts Foreign Adoptions: Policy Change Explained

The Chinese government announced it will no longer permit foreign nationals to adopt Chinese children, with exceptions for blood relatives or stepchildren. This policy aligns with international conventions, discontinuing a practice that allowed many foreigners to adopt from China. The decision follows a suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese government has announced a significant policy shift, stating that foreign nationals will no longer be allowed to adopt Chinese children. Exceptions to this rule will only include blood relatives and stepchildren, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

Mao did not provide extensive details on the reasoning behind the decision but mentioned it aligns with the spirit of relevant international conventions. This move ends a long-standing practice where many foreigners adopted children from China, often visiting the country to complete the adoption process and then bringing the children to their new homes overseas.

International adoptions from China had already been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government later resumed adoptions for children who had travel authorisation before the 2020 suspension, according to a U.S. State Department report. Recently, a U.S. consulate issued 16 visas for adoptions from China between October 2022 and September 2023, marking a return after more than two years. It is uncertain if any additional visas have been issued since.

(With inputs from agencies.)