China Halts Foreign Adoptions Except for Blood Relatives

The Chinese government has ceased allowing foreign adoptions of children, with exceptions only for blood relatives or stepchildren. This policy aligns with international conventions and follows the suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent concerns about adoption practices in Denmark and Norway have raised further scrutiny.

The Chinese government announced on Thursday that it will no longer permit foreign adoptions of its children, except for cases involving blood relatives or stepchildren.

Mao Ning, a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, maintained that the policy change is in line with relevant international conventions but offered no further explanation.

Historically, many foreigners have adopted children from China, but the practice was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming briefly for pre-authorized cases. The US State Department reported that 16 visas were issued for Chinese adoptions in the past year, the first since the pandemic's onset.

(With inputs from agencies.)