China Ends International Adoption Program: Impact on Prospective Families

September 6, 2024

In a significant policy shift, China has announced the cessation of its international adoption program. This new directive, disclosed by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, limits foreign adoptions strictly to cases involving blood relatives or stepchildren. The move aligns with global trends and international conventions but leaves many families in the U.S. and other countries grappling with uncertainty.

The U.S. State Department, which has been in contact with Chinese officials, revealed that all pending adoption cases, except those with previously issued travel authorizations, have been canceled. This decision has left hundreds of American families in a state of distress, as they were in various stages of the adoption process.

For decades, China was a leading source of international adoptions, with over 82,000 children adopted by U.S. families alone. The program had been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, with adoptions resuming only for cases with pre-approved travel documents. Recent reports indicate that only a handful of visas were issued for adoptions from China between October 2022 and September 2023.

The termination of the international adoption program reflects China’s evolving demographic and policy landscape. The country, which previously faced challenges related to its one-child policy and an increased number of children in need of adoption, is now seeing a reduction in both adoption rates and the number of children available for international adoption. The policy change also follows recent actions by other nations to reassess or halt international adoptions due to concerns over child welfare and procedural integrity.

This policy shift has prompted mixed reactions from the global adoption community. While some view it as a positive step toward addressing child welfare issues within China, others are concerned about the impact on families who have already invested emotionally and financially in the adoption process. Advocacy groups and prospective adoptive parents are now seeking further clarification and support from Chinese authorities.

The end of China’s international adoption program marks a significant turning point in global adoption practices and raises important questions about the future of intercountry adoptions.