China Stops The Policy of Children Adoption Overseas After Dropping One-Child Rule

China has announced it will no longer allow children to be adopted overseas, marking the end of a policy in place for over three decades, which originated from its once-strict one-child rule.

Since 1992, more than 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families worldwide, with the majority of these adoptions taking place in the United States, where about 82,000 children, mostly girls, found homes, according to China’s Children International (CCI).

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that the government had revised its international adoption policy to align with global trends.

“Except for cases involving the adoption of a child or stepchild from blood relatives within three generations, China will not be sending children abroad for adoption,” Mao stated.

She also expressed gratitude to foreign governments and families who had adopted Chinese children, acknowledging their good intentions, love, and kindness.

However, Mao did not clarify the fate of families currently in the process of adopting children from China.

This policy shift comes at a time when Chinese authorities are grappling with declining birth rates and attempting to encourage marriage and childbearing among young couples.

China’s population has fallen for two consecutive years, and the country now has one of the lowest birth rates globally.

Despite efforts to incentivize young women to have children, many remain hesitant due to the high cost of childcare, concerns about job security, and uncertainties regarding the country’s economic future.

From 1979 to 2015, China enforced a strict one-child policy to control population growth.

During this period, many families preferred to keep male children, traditionally viewed as the primary caregivers for aging parents, while placing female children up for adoption.

China’s decision to halt international adoptions follows similar moves in other countries.

In May, the Netherlands banned its citizens from adopting children from abroad, and Denmark will soon follow suit after its sole adoption agency ceased operations.