China | We’re keeping them

Why China banned international adoptions

Much has changed since the programme was started

Orphaned Chinese children drink milk form bottles in a foster care centre in Beijing, China
Made in China, staying in ChinaPhotograph: Getty Images
|BEIJING

The announcement came at a routine press briefing on September 5th. Mao Ning, a foreign-ministry spokesperson, said China was grateful for the “desire and love” of the foreign families who wanted to adopt Chinese children. But, she added, China would no longer allow the practice. Exceptions would be made for foreigners adopting stepchildren and children of blood relatives in China. For everyone else the new policy would take effect immediately, meaning even adoptions already in progress would be halted.

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This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “We’re keeping them”

From the September 14th 2024 edition

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