China Bans Overseas Adoptions of its Children

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Facts

  • The Chinese government has said that, in line with global trends, it's ending the practice of overseas adoption of its children.[1]
  • According to the country's foreign ministry, the only exception to this prohibition would be if the child is a biological relative of the adoptive parents or is their stepchild.[2]
  • US diplomats in China have been informed that Beijing will not 'process cases at any stage' other than those cases covered by the exception.[3]
  • For a time during the COVID pandemic, China temporarily suspended foreign adoptions but later resumed the process for children who had already been authorized to travel.[4]
  • A US State Department report said that a US consulate had granted 16 visas for adoptions from China between October 2022 and September 2023.[5]
  • According to international nonprofit China's Children International, over 160K children have been adopted by overseas parents since the PRC started allowing international adoptions in 1992.[6]

Sources: [1]New York Times, [2]Scandasia, [3]Guardian, [4]The Indian Express, [5]NBC and [6]CNN.

Narratives

  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. This change in policy must be viewed within the context of China's changing demographics. The PRC's population dropped for two consecutive years during 2022-2023, including a notable drop in the number of babies born. Chinese demographers have also called for policy shifts to include incentivizing couples to have children and even undertaking a national campaign to raise the national birth rate. Look for more changes to roll out to address this pressing societal issue.
  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by Washington Post. China's ending of foreign adoptions closes a chapter of hope for many children and families. For decades, this program offered a chance at a loving home and better opportunities for thousands of Chinese children — particularly girls affected by the one-child policy. It created beautiful cross-cultural families and life-changing experiences for both adoptees and adoptive parents. The sad end of this program represents a loss of cultural exchange and understanding between China and the adopting countries.
  • Narrative C, as provided by The Observer. The adoption of Chinese children, particularly girls, involves complex issues. Many adoptees struggle with cultural identity, feeling disconnected from their Chinese heritage while fully immersed in the culture of the adoptive country. This often leads to a sense of not belonging fully to either world. The adoption process has been criticized for potentially oversimplifying the narrative of 'rescue' from a difficult life in China.

Predictions