- China ends intercountry adoptions, only allowing exceptions for blood relatives and stepchildren.
- Hundreds of US families are affected, with pending adoptions canceled unless travel authorizations were already issued.
- US diplomats are seeking clarification and resolution from Chinese authorities.
China’s abrupt decision to end its international adoption program has sent shockwaves through the adoption community, particularly in the United States, where hundreds of families were in the process of adopting Chinese children.
The Chinese foreign ministry announced that only adoptions involving blood relatives or stepchildren would be permitted, effectively canceling all other pending cases.
China’s Adoption Ban Shakes US Families as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
The shift comes amid changing political, demographic, and economic conditions in China, with the country reportedly aligning its policies with relevant international conventions. For decades, China had been one of the top sources of adoptive children for American families, with over 82,000 Chinese children adopted by US citizens. However, the adoption process had already been facing delays since the pandemic, leading some to anticipate tighter restrictions or an eventual halt in international adoptions.
For decades, China was the leading country for international adoptions by US citizens. The country’s well-established process had seen tens of thousands of children adopted into American homes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted these adoptions, and changes within China’s political and economic landscape have further contributed to this policy shift. With international adoptions largely suspended since 2020, the formal end of the program now confirms fears that had been building over the past few years.
US diplomats are scrambling to understand the full implications of this decision and are in contact with Chinese officials to seek written clarification. The US State Department has highlighted the difficult position of families who were close to finalizing their adoptions, many of whom had already invested significant time, money, and emotional energy in the process. The department expressed sympathy for the affected families, acknowledging the unique challenges they now face.
China’s decision reflects broader trends in global adoption, with many countries reconsidering their policies in light of changing societal and political conditions. While the move may align with China’s domestic priorities, it underscores the uncertainty that can accompany international adoption efforts, particularly in the face of complex global dynamics.
As US diplomats work to address the concerns of affected families, China’s decision to end international adoptions highlights the growing complexities of global adoption processes in an increasingly interconnected world.
“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.” – Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson
