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Surrogacy rejection case in China under investigation after online criticism

Surrogacy rejection case in China under investigation after online criticism

HONG KONG: A 28-year-old surrogate mother in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu has been abandoned by her surrogacy agency, sparking criticism on social media and prompting an investigation by health authorities.

Surrogacy is illegal in China, and last year the authorities said they would “firmly crack down” on illegal activities involving the use of assisted reproductive technology, such as buying or selling sperm or eggs and surrogacy.

China is trying to raise its birth rate after seeing its population shrink for the second year in a row in 2023. This week, the country’s State Council detailed 13 measures to build a fertility-friendly society to boost the country’s birth rate.

In this case, the surrogate mother, whose name was not released, had an embryo transplant three months earlier but showed no initial signs of pregnancy, according to a post on social media platform Weibo by Shangguan Zhengyi, which tracks surrogacy cases across the country. .

The surrogacy agency sent the woman home but later found out she was pregnant, Shangguan said. When she tried to contact the agency, there was no response.

Shangguan’s post was one of the most popular on Weibo on Friday (November 1), attracting thousands of comments.

“It (surrogacy) has always existed in secret. Where there is demand, there will be such behavior,” wrote a Weibo user named Xiongzai.

The Chengdu Wuhou District Health Bureau said it attaches “great importance” to the surrogacy situation and is investigating the relevant medical institutions. “After verification, this will be seriously considered in accordance with laws and regulations,” the statement said.

“We can’t do anything unless it’s legal in the country,” said another Xiaoxi user.