BEIJING: The Chinese government is no longer allowing foreigners to adopt the country's children. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the only exception would be for blood relatives adopting a child or stepchild. She did not explain the decision, saying only that it was in line with the spirit of relevant international treaties. Over the decades, many foreigners have adopted children from China. They visit the country to pick them up and then take them to a new home abroad. China had suspended international adoptions during the coronavirus pandemic. 

What did the US State Department say?

The US State Department said in its latest annual adoption report that the Chinese government later resumed adoptions involving children who had received travel approval before the suspension in 2020. The State Department report said US consulates issued 16 visas to adopt children from China in the 12 months from October 2022 to September 2023. It is unclear if any more visas have been issued since then.

China policy

Meanwhile, let us also tell you that the controversial one-child policy was in force in China from 1980 to 2015. Under this, there was a provision of severe punishment for having a second child. This long-running rule led to a demographic crisis in the country. Now the government is encouraging people to have more children. The government has now increased this limit to three children. Even though the one-child policy has been abolished, this 35-year-long rule has had a profound impact on society.