China halts foreign adoptions, leaving questions about pending cases

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government is ending its intercountry adoption program. The U.S. State Department says it’s seeking clarification how the decision will affect hundreds of American families with pending applications. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Thursday that the 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.