The Chinese government ended its international adoption program. This leaves some Canadians who were in the process of adopting from overseas without a clear path forward. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, announced the immediate halt to foreign adoptions of Chinese children. Only blood relatives or step-relatives of Chinese children are currently eligible to apply for international adoption. It is uncertain what will happen to foreigners who were already in the adoption process and to Chinese children in orphanages.
The decision to end international adoption aligns with relevant international conventions, according to Mao. Chinese officials informed U.S. diplomats that no new international adoption cases will be processed moving forward. Since 1992, over 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by foreigners, with more than 82,000 adopted in the U.S. alone.
Before the pandemic, China had temporarily suspended foreign adoptions. Resumed adoptions were only available to families with travel authorization before 2020. The future of international adoption in China remains uncertain. Chinese officials have not clarified how domestic adoptions in the country will be handled.
The decline in birth rates in China has led to this decision. The country ended its one-child policy in January 2016. In Canada, the rate of Chinese international adoptions had already decreased significantly even before the pandemic, according to Delia Ramsbotham, the executive director of Sunrise Family Services Society.
The impact is being felt by families who had accepted proposals for adoption but have not received travel notices. The Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is closely monitoring the situation to protect the children involved.
The Adoption Council of Ontario highlighted the lifelong impact of adoption on individuals and families. Those affected by this policy change include adoptees who may be searching for information on their biological families and heritage. Canada and China adhere to the Hague Convention to ensure the best interests and human rights of children in international adoptions.
Ramsbotham is optimistic that ending foreign adoptions in China will lead to better care for children within the country. This decision can be seen as a success if it indicates self-sufficiency in the Chinese child welfare system.
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