Trick or Treat?

Daddy Pumpkin, Baby Pumpkin and Mum!

Today the Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) posted a news update on their website regarding "Priority rules in the review of inter-country adoption application dossiers by CCAA." Many of you know that anyone who submitted their dossier to China after May 1, 2007 had to meet new "priority requirements." We were fortunate enough to meet those requirements. There has been speculation every since these new rules were released that they could be retroactively applied. This latest news release seems to indicate that is possible, by stating~

"The CCAA first accepts and reviews adoption applications of foreign adopters who are qualified with the following conditions from the day of 1st May 2007, and then makes placement of adoptees with them. Adoption applications of the other adopters who are not qualified will be put into consideration after all the cases of the qualified have already been dealt with."

These same types of messages were released one year ago, when word of the new rules first hit the media. In a 12/25/2006 China Daily article, a Ministry of Civil Affairs official shared ~

"The priority criteria are meant to protect children's interests and shorten the waiting time for more qualified applicants," Xing said. "It does not mean we are prejudiced against less qualified applicants, who can still apply."

It's very difficult to determine if either of these statements actually mean certain parents will be given priority status since most communications from CCAA are strategically ambiguous. CCAA also uses the term "priority status" rather than saying they have created new rules. It is imperative that I mention that although true priority status would mean a shorter wait for us, it would be completely devastating to families who have already waited more than a year for their child.

If you'd like to read the full news release and/or the China Daily Article to offer your unbiased interpretation you can find them at:
http://www.china-ccaa.org/site%5Cinfocontent%5CZCFG_20071031110135606_en.htm

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/25/content_766420.htm

The best way to calm my trick or treat nerves and clear my muddled mind?
Wine and candy of course!