(d) The possibility of establishing international and regional registers for children adopted internationally should be considered

However, the Committee regrets the inadequate information available on the number of international adoptions and the number of agencies facilitating such adoptions on the mainland.

On 18 April 2003, the Centre set out the credentials required of foreign adoption organizations, which aim to ensure the trustworthiness of foreign organizations cooperating with the Centre.

When the State party considers lifting its moratorium on intercountry adoptions, the Committee recommends that it accede to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.

Article 21 further provides that international adoption must not involve improper financial gain .

6.3 Inter Country Adoption

(a) Intercountry adoption.

The China Adoption Centre plays an important role in ensuring that all parties to the adoption of a child by a foreign national are in compliance with the terms of the pertinent international agreements.

Such close review of all information pertaining to the adopting party helps ensure that no problems arise at any step in the process.

Specifically, the adoptive parent shall provide papers issued by the competent authorities of his or her country certifying such particulars as age, marital status, profession, property, health and criminal record if any.

Emphasizing that nothing in this Protocol prejudices the legitimate adoption of children consistent with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally,

Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally

Article 1 of the Basic conditions for foreign adoption organizations in their cooperation with the China Adoption Centre requires that the interests of the child to be adopted in China receive foremost consideration.

Relevant disaggregated data on the children involved in intercountry adoption, including by age, gender, status of the child, situation of the child s family of origin and of adoption, as well as country of origin and of adoption

Between 1 March and 1 April 2003, in accordance with the Interim regulations the Centre issued a uniform procedure for the registration of contact persons in China of foreign adoption organizations, so as to establish records of the contacts these organizations maintain in China and prevent unauthorized individuals from engaging in activities detrimental to children by pretending to work for a recognized organization.

The Adoption Act also clearly states, A foreigner may, in accordance with this Act, adopt a child (male or female) in the People's Republic of China. In order to regulate adoptions involving foreign nationals and ensure that foreign adoptive parents have sufficient assets and competence, the Act stipulates that prospective adopters must obtain the consent of the authorities in their own country in accordance with that country's law.

(c) International adoption

China has enacted a full set of legislative measures which strengthen the regimen governing legal adoptions and aim to ensure that all parties involved comply with the terms set out in these international agreements.

In order to safeguard the life of the child after adoption, article 26 of the Adoption Act stipulates that an adoptive parent may not terminate the adoptive relationship before the adoptee comes of age, and unless the adoptive parent and the party which put the child up for adoption agree to terminate the relationship the consent of the adopted child, if aged 10 or more, must be obtained.

How China ensures that all persons involved in the adoption of a child act in conformity with these international agreements

179. While noting with appreciation the establishment of the National Adoption Council, the Committee is concerned about the insufficient safeguards to protect fully the rights of children in the process of international adoption.

409. While noting with appreciation the establishment of the National Adoption Council, the Committee is concerned about the insufficient safeguards to protect fully the rights of children in the process of international adoption.

The 1986 Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally (General Assembly resolution 41 85, annex) once again illustrates the special concern evoked in the international community with regard to the danger of intercountry adoptions resulting from the sale or trafficking in children.

Adoption

Adoption

Both while drawing up the regulations governing adoption and in the actual process of handling adoptions involving parties abroad, China has adhered firmly to the principle of the best interests of the child, and has consistently sought to strengthen the standing in law of the complete adoption the Hague Convention advocates.

Adoption organizations are required to send a social worker to the child's adoptive home to conduct interviews 6 months and 12 months after the adoption is completed, and to forward a settling in report to the China Adoption Centre within 3 months of each of these visits.

They also make clear that review of the pertinent information concerning both the adopter and the party putting the child up for adoption is the responsibility of the agency that registers adoptions by foreigners. The civil administration authorities of provincial people's governments review each case and determine whether the child in question is eligible for adoption when approval is granted, the case is forwarded to the China Adoption Centre.

In ratifying the Optional Protocol, China expressed no reservations.

This situation has led to abuses and the creation of a veritable international market for adoptable children.

The Interim regulations and requirements of the China Adoption Centre with respect to intercountry adoptions involving foreign adoption organizations set out clear and stringent requirements governing the adoption application, the documents to be produced, the family situation report, the procedures for submission and processing of these papers and post adoption reporting.

This clearly indicated that the existence of international trafficking in children did not in any way point to a crisis in the institution of international adoption, but, on the contrary, highlighted the need to protect it from those who would use it for covert purposes.

Adopted?

(b) The 1993 Hague Convention sets out adequate procedural provisions as regards intercountry adoption and could potentially be ratified by all States, but basically only by those States from which and to which intercountry adoption takes place

The increase in such adoptions results from the shortage of children available for adoption in most developed countries.

The regulations for the registration of adoptions by foreign nationals set out in concrete terms the requirements of the Adoption Act, including what information and materials the prospective adopter must provide, review procedures for his or her credentials, registration procedures, and the channels for resolving whatever legal issues may arise.

The law prohibits child adoption, which is replaced by the system of caring for foundlings in accordance with the Foundling Care Act No. 107 of 1970.

You can't adopt every abandoned baby in China.

To the existing provisions of the Netherlands Nationality Act, which provides for children whose adoption is recognised for the purpose of acquiring Dutch nationality, on the basis of the 1993 Hague Adoption Convention, similar provisions have been added that provide for acquiring Dutch nationality as a consequence of overseas adoptions that do not yet come under the Hague Adoption Convention.

219. In relation to intercountry adoption, the State party is encouraged to ratify the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.

449. In relation to intercountry adoption, the State party is encouraged to ratify the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.

The focus here is very much on the Hague Conventions on international child abduction, adoption and the protection of children.

3) by adoption,

The adoption papers, of course.

I mean legally. There's marriage or adoption.