China may bring in tough adoption rules

China is considering tough new rules on adoption that would bar foreign parents who are single, obese, aged over 50 or on anxiety or depression medications from participating, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to several US adoption agencies that have seen the regulations, the disabled and families worth less than US$80,000 would also be prevented from adopting. The rules could come into effect in May 2007. China is a popular place with foreign parents looking to adopt as the process is centralized and rather cheap, usually coming in at US$16,000-20,000. According to Sun Wencan of the adoption department of the Social Welfare Division of China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, the proposed changes reflect the fall in the number of children available for adoption.