Draft regulation allows abducted children to be adopted

China has released a new draft regulation for adoption, which for the first time allows children who were abducted to be adopted by Chinese citizens if the police could not find their biological parents within 12 months.

The police are responsible for locating abducted children's biological parents or other guardians, according to the draft regulation, which was publicized Tuesday by the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office to solicit public opinion.

New provisions in the regulation also involve the adoption of abandoned babies and children, which read that those who find abandoned children should tell the police immediately.

Failure to locate the children's biological parents within three months will render the abandoned children eligible for adoption.

Compared with the current regulation, the draft also simplifies some procedures, removing some unnecessary paperwork and certificates.