NCFA Media : Press Releases

National Council for Adoption President Issues Statement on Chinese Normalizing Adoptive Formalities of Traveling to China

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, June 24, 2003 - Thomas Atwood, president of the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) today issues a statement regarding the China Center of Adoption Affairs’ (CCAA) normalization of adoptive formalities of traveling to China.

"The National Council For Adoption is encouraged by China’s decision to lift the suspension on the processing of intercountry adoptions. Many children and families will benefit from CCAA’s action. And, the decision will have a positive impact on Chinese adoption, as families considering the possibility will have greater confidence in the system."

The CCAA notice indicates that effective June 24, CCAA will:

• restart to mail the Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopters and the relative materials to foreign adopters; and
• resume the issuing and posting of the Notice of Coming to China for Adoption to foreign adopters with a 3 month period of validity as before. Those issued and posted before May 15, 2003 will be considered valid for 6 months.

According to NCFA data, China has led other countries in the number of children adopted by U.S. parents for five out of the last ten years, including each the past three years. Adoptions of Chinese children by U.S. parents increased from 330 in 1993, to 5,053 in 2002, and have been in the 4,000 to 5,000 range for the last five years.

For more information regarding NCFA’s activities and policies, the media is encouraged to contact Lee Allen at the number or email address listed above.

About NCFA

Since 1980, the NCFA has been a leading voice among national child adoption and welfare organizations. NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit that provides adoption information, promotes ethical adoption practices, works to shape public policy and legislation regarding adoption issues, and serves as a continuing resource to women with unplanned pregnancies, adoptive families, and those seeking to adopt.

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