From April 7th to 19th, a five member CCAA delegation, led by Deputy Director Chu Xiao Ying, visited the United States and Canada on invitation from American National Council for Adoption (NCFA) and the Children Bridge Adoption of Canada

During the visit to the United States, the delegation attended an international adoption seminar and the 25th Anniversary Celebration of NCFA. They visited the Chinese Embassy in the United States and Chinese Consulate in Huston. They held a meeting with the Children’s Affairs Office of the State Department of the United States. The delegation visited three adoption organizations and attended two adoptive family gatherings. During the Canadian visit, the delegation held talks with relevant federal government offices, including the Department of Social Development, the International Adoption Secretariat of Quebec, and officials from Ontario and British Columbia. The delegation was also able to enjoy a lunch meeting with related officials from the Chinese Embassy in Canada. They also visited four adoption organizations, attended two adoptive family gatherings, and visited an adoptive family.

The CCAA delegation utilized this opportunity to communicate and strengthen ties with the NCFA and its member agencies. They also explained and promoted the appraisal system. As a result of the visit, the delegation reinforced the communication and consultation with the governmental departments of USA and Canada, reaching some primary agreements with Canadian counterparts on some of the issues in the adoption process, including adoption by relatives and adoption by foreigners, who are working in China. Chinese policies and practices on inter-country adoption were explained and received good feedback from the adoption agencies. The delegation also introduced in detail the “Tomorrow Plan Program- Providing Operations for Orphans with Special Needs in Social Welfare Institutes in China” (“Tomorrow Plan”) initiated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The governmental offices, as well as the adoption agencies, were impressed by the project and supportive of the CCAA’s efforts on this project. In conclusion, this visit strengthened communication, intensified collaboration, and enhanced friendship and relations. Therefore, the trip accomplished its goals and was considered very successful.