China’s Suspension of Foreign Adoptions Sparks Uncertainty for Pending Cases

The Chinese government has officially announced the termination of its intercountry adoption program, a significant policy shift that impacts many American families. To date, U.S. families have adopted a total of 82,674 children from China, the highest number of any country worldwide.

Following this announcement, U.S. diplomats in China sought clarification on pending adoptions. Beijing indicated that it “will not continue to process cases at any stage,” except for certain exceptions, such as blood relatives or stepchildren, according to the U.S. State Department.

In light of this change, the department expressed empathy for the hundreds of families awaiting completion of their adoption cases. A formal clarification from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs is being pursued to understand the potential repercussions of this decision.

During a daily briefing, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, confirmed the halt on foreign adoptions, citing alignment with the spirit of relevant international conventions. However, she did not elaborate on the reasoning behind this choice.

Historically, numerous foreign couples have traveled to China to adopt, helping to connect children with homes abroad. This policy change marks a notable shift in China’s approach to international adoptions, especially after a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite a brief resumption of international adoption for children with travel authorization prior to the pandemic suspension, progress has remained limited. From October 2022 through September 2023, a U.S. consulate in China issued only 16 adoption visas, the first in over two years. The status of additional applications remains unclear.

The decline in China’s birth rates has intensified discussions around adoption policies. In 2023, the number of newborns fell to 9.02 million, contributing to an overarching demographic decline experienced for the second consecutive year. These factors are undoubtedly intertwined with the government’s recent decision on adoptions.