New rules raise qualifications for foster parents

New regulations on family foster care in China will take effect on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

The new rules will allow each foster family to take in a maximum of two children, instead of the current three, provided that the family does not have a child of its own younger than 6.

The formal qualifications required of foster parents are also being raised. Prospective parents should have completed at least nine years of formal education, and their financial status should be at least average for their region.