The Chinese government has officially ended its international adoption program, leaving hundreds of U.S. families in despair. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the decision on Thursday, ending the long wait for families who had been matched with Chinese children before the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, China was one of the top countries for U.S. adoptions, but the program was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, leaving adoptions in limbo.

Impact on U.S. Families and Agencies

Karla Thrasher, senior director of international adoptions at Lifeline Children’s Services, expressed shock over the sudden announcement. Many U.S. families had waited years, hoping to finalize adoptions delayed by the pandemic. Some were just a few documents away from welcoming their children, adding to their emotional devastation.

Thrasher also highlighted that several families had met their matched children through Lifeline’s hosting program, which allowed orphans to temporarily live with U.S. families before formal adoption.

End of a 30-Year Program

Since its inception, the international adoption program has facilitated thousands of adoptions, making China a popular destination for American families seeking to adopt. With its formal termination on August 28, exceptions remain only for international residents adopting blood relatives or stepchildren. This decision officially closes a significant chapter in international adoptions.

In 2020, the final year before the program’s suspension, 202 U.S. adoptions were finalized. Though a small number of adoptions resumed in 2023, with 16 cases completed, the program’s closure marks a heartbreaking end for many hopeful families.

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China Ends International Adoptions, Leaving Hundreds of Cases in Limbo

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