China has officially ceased the practice of permitting overseas adoptions of children, a move that has left many families in the midst of the adoption process facing uncertainty. This significant rule change, announced at a recent daily briefing by a foreign ministry spokeswoman, aligns with what the government describes as the spirit of international agreements.
Over the past three decades, more than 150,000 Chinese children have found homes abroad, with over 82,000 adopted by families in the United States, the largest number of adoptions globally. Under the new policy, only foreign nationals who are relatives of the child will be allowed to adopt.
While the spokeswoman stated the decision was made to reflect international agreements, she did not provide further details on the rationale behind this significant shift. Acknowledging the heartfelt intentions of families wanting to adopt from China, she expressed gratitude for their desire and love.
The ban has generated significant concern among hundreds of American families currently navigating the adoption process, as authorities in Beijing announced that they would halt processing cases at any stage, except those that qualify under an exception clause.
The U.S. is actively seeking clarification from China’s civic ministry regarding this policy change. Concerns about the nation’s declining birth rate have prompted officials to reconsider the adoption process. Following the end of China’s one-child policy in 2016, the government has been under pressure as birth rates continue to fall, leading to shifts in policy aimed at encouraging couples to have more children. Despite a 2021 law revision allowing couples to have up to three children, China’s birth rate has continued to decline, resulting in a population decrease in 2023, marking the first such decline in 60 years.
