Caring for Orphaned Children in China

This study applies rights-based alternative-care theory and practice for orphans to China’s child-welfare system, including its history and development in urban and rural areas. It analyses state child-welfare institutions; de-institutionalization; foster-mother villages; and current policy changes toward a mixed welfare approach.

Shang Xiaoyuan is associate professor at the Social Policy Research Centre, the University of New South Wales, Sydney. In 2003, she was awarded the Alice Tay Human Rights Award by the Australia-China Council for her significant contribution to improving the understanding of child rights in China. Karen R. Fisher is associate professor at the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Dr. Fisher specializes in disability policy and Chinese social policy research.