(DCWatchdog.com) – Ending a policy that had been in place for over 30 years, China has announced it will no longer send children overseas for adoption as part of a rule linked to China’s former one-child policy.
Since 1992, when China began allowing international adoptions, more than 160,000 Chinese children have found homes around the world.
According to China’s Children International (CCI), about 82,000—mostly girls—were adopted by families in the United States.
This week, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that the policy change aligns with international trends.
“Apart from the adoption of a child or stepchild of blood relatives of the same generation who are within three generations of foreigners coming to China to adopt, China will not send children abroad for adoption,” Mao said.
She added, “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.”
At this point, it is unclear what will happen to families already in the process of adopting from China.
In addition, this policy shift has come as China faces a declining population and is trying to boost marriage and birth rates. The country has one of the lowest birth rates globally and is attempting to encourage young couples to have children.
However, many are deterred by high childcare costs, job security concerns, and a slowing economy.
From 1979 to 2015, China enforced a strict one-child policy to control population growth. As a result, many families chose to keep male children and put female children up for adoption.
Also, China’s move to end international adoptions follows similar decisions in other countries.
In May, the Netherlands banned its citizens from adopting children from abroad, and Denmark stopped international adoptions after its only adoption agency ceased operations.
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