對於一位年輕的被收養者來說,本周即將招開的APEC會議提供了一個機會,使社會注意到美國和中國之間國際收養的暫停問題。
數月來,我一直期待著來自世界各地的領導人,特別是來自我的出生地中國的領導人,齊聚舊金山參加亞太經濟合作組織峰會。對我來說,這次聚會有一個非常個人的一面,揭示了國際關係背後的人性故事。
我在11個月的時候被收養並帶到美國,那是在2004年國際收養達到頂峰的幾年後。然而,從那時起,國際收養的數量急劇下降。從1999年到2016年,超過72,000名中國兒童進入了美國父母的心中和家中。即使我自己的收養看起來相對簡單,與我幾年後被收養的妹妹相比,當時的資格要求變得更加困難。
如今,情況更加糟糕,現實是,特別是來自中國的國際收養之門仍然是關閉的。
據美國國務院稱,中華人民共和國與美國之間的跨國收養仍處於暫停狀態。在這兩個全球超級大國之間的緊張局勢背景下,我擔心像我一樣的兒童將來可能面臨更大的挑戰,尋找慈愛和支持的家庭,甚至可能永遠找不到。
這就是為什麼我從小就參與與等待被收養的兒童的志願工作,以表達對我在啟程走向我的「永久」家庭之前所受照顧的感激之情。通過這種經歷,我有幸目睹了這些兒童內在潛力的可能性,提醒我曾在自己內心發現的隱藏力量。
像所有事物一樣,國際收養的歷史是複雜的。但隨著預計在APEC峰會期間舉行的美國總統喬·拜登和中國國家主席習近平的會晤,國際收養的問題是一個對話的途徑,兩國可能找到一些共同點。
對兒童和他們的家庭的愛是普遍的,超越了國界和地緣政治的界限。對我個人來說,作為一個被收養者,這使我充滿了對每一刻充分利用的動力,推動我學習、成長、抓住機會,並為我雙重的中國和美國背景感到自豪。
我希望APEC峰會上聚集的全球領導人能夠找到方法打破界限,幫助孤兒找到慈愛的家庭。我很幸運能夠作為亞洲社會北加州分會的志願者參加峰會。
參加這次會議對我來說具有重要意義,因為它提供了一個深入瞭解美中關係的機會,讓我能夠讓來自兩國的立法者和官員聽到我的聲音。但我也希望傳達出這樣一個信息,即在所有政策的背後,最終存在著一個眞實的人性一面,像我這樣的被收養者的命運就懸在其中。通過分享我的故事並為被收養者發聲,我希望激發集體行動,支持確保每個兒童,無論國界如何,都能找到他們應得的慈愛的「永久」家庭。
文/Justin Ma
賈斯汀·馬是一名高中三年級生,他將作為亞洲社會北加州分會的志願者參加今年在舊金山舉行的APEC峰會。
For One Adoptee, Xi-Biden Meeting at APEC is ‘Personal’
ByJustin Ma Nov 13, 2023
For one young adoptee, this week's APEC conference offers the
chance to call attention to the ongoing suspension of international
adoptions between the US and China.
For months, I’ve anticipated leaders from around the world – and
specifically my own birthplace, China – converging on San Francisco
for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. For me, there is a
very personal side to this gathering, one that reveals the human
stories behind international relations.
I was adopted and brought to the United States at the age of 11
months, a few years after international adoptions had reached their
peak in 2004. They have since plummeted.
From 1999 to 2016, over 72,000 Chinese children found their way
into the hearts and homes of US parents. Even my own adoption must
have appeared relatively straightforward compared to my younger
sister who was adopted just a few years later, when it became
significantly more difficult to meet eligibility requirements.
Today, the situation is even worse, and the reality is that the
door to international adoptions, especially from China, remains
shut.
According to the US State Department, intercountry adoptions
between the People’s Republic of China and the United States remain
in a state of suspension. Against the backdrop of heightened
tensions between these two global superpowers, I’m concerned that
children, like me, may face even greater challenges finding loving
and supportive families in the future or never find them at all.
That’s why from a young age, I’ve been involved in volunteer work
with children awaiting adoption as a way of expressing gratitude for
the care I received before embarking on my journey to my “forever”
family. Through this experience, I’ve had the privilege of
witnessing the potential within these children, reminding me of the
hidden strength I once discovered within myself.
Like all things, the history of international adoptions is complex.
But with an anticipated meeting between US President Joe Biden and
Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit, the question of
international adoptions is an avenue for dialogue where the two
countries might find some common ground.
The love for children and their families is universal, transcending
borders and geopolitical boundaries. For me, personally, being an
adoptee has instilled in me a drive to make the most of every
moment, pushing me to learn, grow, seize opportunities, and take
pride in my dual Chinese and American background.
My hope is that the global leaders convening at APEC will find ways
to break down borders and assist orphans in finding loving families.
I’m fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend the
summit as a volunteer with the Asia Society Northern California.
Attending the conference holds significance for me as it provides
an opportunity to deepen my understanding of US-China relations and
have my voice heard by lawmakers and officials from both nations.
But I also want to get out the message that behind all of the
policy, ultimately, there’s a real human side as adoptees, like me,
hang in the balance of it all. In sharing my story and advocating
for adoptees, I hope to inspire collective action and support for
initiatives that ensure every child, regardless of borders, finds
the loving “forever” family they deserve.
Justin Ma is a high school junior. He will be
attending this year’s APEC conference in San Francisco as a
volunteer with the Asia Society Northern California. |
