PollenTree

Chinese government increases anti child trafficking efforts

The Chinese government is drafting tighter rules on adopting children to combat the country's widespread child trafficking problem.


Orphanages
The China Daily newspaper says only orphanages will be able to offer abandoned infants and children for adoption.

Adults who adopt children without official registration will not be recognized as their legal guardians. The government has said that the new rules are to be introduced by the end of the year.

Scores of exploited children are bought or kidnapped by criminal gangs who force them into non-violent crimes such as petty theft.

China Daily says a study by the country's Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption has found that other children are sold to childless couples to carry on the family line and guarantee the parents security in their old age.


Official channels
Ji Gang, an official at the Centre, tells the newspaper that forcing adults to go through official channels will reduce the demand for abducted children. Though this remains to be seen. Given that the problem is so widespread it may take considerable time and effort to combat trafficking and illegal adoption.


Conviction
Recently 8 people were convicted of kidnapping or murdering children in five separate cases.

Read more at: blogs.voanews.com