China has announced the end of foreign adoptions of Chinese children, potentially affecting hundreds of U.S. families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the change in policy, stating that China will no longer send children abroad for adoption.
The big picture: Exceptions to the policy include foreigners adopting stepchildren and children of relatives within three generations in China.
- China’s decision to end foreign adoptions comes after a suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with a small number of cases resuming in 2022 and 2023.
- The Chinese government has been addressing population concerns, with the population falling to about 1.4 billion, prompting the end of the controversial one-child family planning policy in 2015.
What they’re saying: “China will not send children abroad for adoption,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press conference. “This is also in line with the spirit of relevant international covenants. We express our appreciation to those foreign governments and families, who wish to adopt Chinese children, for their good intention and the love and kindness they have shown.”
