China improves child welfare, strengthens care for minors

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has released two regulatory documents aimed at improving the approach to child welfare and assistance for minors, both of which are set to take effect on April 1, 2026.

Under the newly formulated interim measures, assistance and protection facilities for minors are established by governments. These state-run centers are required to provide a range of services for children in their care, including living support, family-tracing services, medical care, education, security, and psychological counseling.

The measures also task these institutions with crisis intervention and guardianship assessment responsibilities for vulnerable children outside their custody.

Separately, the revised management measures for child welfare institutions include new provisions for expanded social services. Qualified child welfare institutions are encouraged to offer rehabilitation services to children with autism or other disabilities in the broader community.

The revised rules also outline detailed requirements for fire safety, emergency response, file management and donation supervision, among other key areas.