China halts foreign adoptions of its children. US seeks further information on pending cases

The Chinese government is ending its intercountry adoption program. The U.S. State Department says it is seeking clarification how the decision will affect the hundreds of U.S. families with pending applications. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday that the Chinese government is no longer allowing international adoptions of its children with the only exception for blood relatives to adopt a child or a stepchild. She didn’t explain the decision other than to say it was in line with the spirit of relevant international conventions. Many foreigners have adopted children from China over the decades. China suspended international adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and later resumed them for children who had received travel authorization before the suspension.