BEIJING: China has announced it will no longer allow the adoption of its children by foreign families, reversing a policy that had been in place for over 30 years.
This decision marks a significant shift from the country’s earlier practices, which were influenced by its former one-child policy.
Since China began allowing international adoptions in 1992, more than 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families around the world. Approximately 82,000 of these children, mostly girls, were adopted by families in the United States, according to China’s Children International (CCI).
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that the policy adjustment aims to align China’s adoption practices with international trends. Under the new guidelines, China will cease sending children abroad for adoption, except for cases involving the adoption of children or stepchildren of blood relatives who are within three generations of foreigners coming to China.
Mao expressed gratitude to foreign governments and families for their interest and affection towards Chinese children but did not clarify the fate of families currently in the adoption process.
The policy change comes as China faces demographic challenges, including a declining birth rate and a shrinking population. The country has been struggling to encourage marriage and childbearing among young couples amidst concerns over childcare costs, job security, and a slowing economy.
China’s one-child policy, which was enforced from 1979 to 2015, led many families to prefer male children and relinquish female infants for adoption. The recent move to end international adoptions follows similar actions in other countries; the Netherlands banned international adoptions in May, and Denmark has also halted international adoptions after its sole adoption agency ceased operations.
