History in a Nutshell
The Han, or ethnic Chinese, form more than nine-tenths of the 1,227,740,000 people in China.  The predominate language is Mandarin.  The vast majority of Chinese are Buddhist.  The currency is known as  renminbi, or the  yuan.

Southwest China  contains the Plateau of Tibet, with an average elevation of over 13,000 ft (4,100 m) above sea level; its central area, averaging more than 16,000 ft (5,000 m).  The central area of the plateau is known as  "the Roof of the World." China's northwestern region stretches from Afghanistan to the northeastern Manchurian Plain. The Tian Shan mountains separate China's two major interior basins, the Tarim Basin (containing the Taklimakan desert) and the Dzungarian Basin. The Mongolian Plateau contains the southernmost part of the Gobi Desert. The lowlands of the eastern region include the Sichuan Basin, which runs along the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang).

Chinese civilization probably spread from the Huang He (Yellow River) valley, where it existed c. 3000 BC. The first dynasty for which there is definite historical material is the Shang (c. 17th century BC), which had a writing system and a calendar. The Zhou, a subject state of the Shang, overthrew its Shang rulers in the 11th century BC and ruled until the 3rd century BC. Taoism and Confucianism were founded in this era.

The Han dynasty was established in 206 BC and ruled until AD 220. A time of turbulence followed, and Chinese reunification was not achieved until the Sui dynasty was established in 581. After the founding of the Song dynasty in 960, the capital was moved to the south because of northern invasions. In 1279 this dynasty was overthrown and Mongol (Yuan) domination began. During this time, Marco Polo visited Kublai Khan.

A republic was proclaimed in 1912 by Sun Yat-sen. The power struggles of warlords weakened the republic. Under Sun's successor, Chiang Kai-shek, some national unification was achieved in the 1920s, but Chiang soon broke with the Communists, who then formed their own armies. Japan invaded northern China in 1937; its occupation lasted until 1945 (see Manchuguo). The Communists gained support after the Long March (1934-35), in which Mao Zedong emerged as their leader.

In 1949 the Nationalists fled to Taiwan and the Communists proclaimed the People's Republic of China. The government established diplomatic ties with the U.S. in1979.

China opened its borders to the possibility of international adoption in 1993.  The Chinese people are gracious and very caring.  Children placed for adoption to America are often nicknamed "Lucky One" with other children touching them for good luck.

Adoption Procedure
All adoptions in China are handled through the China Center of Adoption Affairs. This is a government organization which processes all dossiers for foreign adoption. Typically, preparation of your dossier will take 60-90 days depending on variables like name changes, divorces, etc.

Married couples and single women are eligible to adopt. To adopt an infant, at least one parent must be under age 45. There are other changes in the requirements that China is instituting, so please contact Homecoming for current information before making a final decision. While Homecoming Adoptions can never guarantee the time frame in which an international adoption can be completed (as it is controlled entirely by the foreign government), the average time is currently ranging from 20-24 months once your dossier is submitted.

Your stay in China will vary, but usually ranges from 12-15 days, depending on the processing of paperwork. Once the Chinese adoption is finalized, you will obtain a travel visa for your child from the U.S. consulate. Children available for adoption range anywhere from about eight months in age. Infant girls are predominately available. Adoptions of special needs children can be expedited.

Adoption Costs
Adoption costs are broken down into practice fees, international fees and estimated travel costs. As with any adoption, HCA charges an practice fee of $5,000.00 payable in two installments. The optional document preparation fee for China is $1,875.00. Practice costs are fixed from the time a contract is signed by the prospective adoptive parents. Of course, in-country fees can be subject to change. However, an increase in the international fee is extremely unlikely once the adoptive process has begun. International fees in China will be approximately $13,000.00. There are fees paid to the CCAA for their services, fees for the orphanage donation, and miscellaneous legal/certification costs for U.S. Immigration as well as passport fees, notarization, etc. Total costs, including everything from lodging and travel to/from and within China, guide services, meals, homestudy, dossier preparation, etc. are expected to be approximately $25,000 from beginning to end.

At least one parents is required to travel to China. A minimum stay of 12 days is necessary, but be prepared to stay about 15 days.

China does not allow for independent medical testing of children before the adoption is finalized though you will receive photographs and medical records. Your child can be examined by a western-trained physician once the adoption has been finalized. Contact us to learn more about adoptions from China.