A housekeeping company in China has stirred controversy by posting an online advertisement for surrogate mothers, raising discussions about the legally murky practice in the country. Situated in Henan province in northern China, Huchen Housekeeping outlined a payment scheme tied to the age of potential surrogates. “Surrogate mothers aged below 28 stand to earn 220,000 yuan (around Rs 25 lakh), while those between 29 and 30 years old will be offered 210,000 yuan (around Rs 24 lakh),” the company stated.
The financial compensation declined for older potential surrogates, with women between 40 and 42 years old offered 170,000 yuan (around Rs 19 lakh). When approached by a mainland media outlet, the company employees stated, “We operate in both Xinyang and Shanghai.” They further explained that they provide customised services for families seeking an ideal surrogate for their future children, but the final decision largely hinges on “whether the client is willing to accept the price.”
The local health commission swiftly responded to the advertisement, announcing on February 26 that it was “investigating the incident.” Currently, China lacks specific legislation that explicitly prohibits surrogacy. However, various government regulations do not permit the practice. Legal gaps often enable surrogacy within the country, while wealthier individuals may opt to travel to countries like the US, where surrogacy is legal, to have a surrogate baby. Recently, online debates have intensified regarding the ambiguity of China’s legal stance on surrogacy.
Reactions to the housekeeping advertisement varied, with many expressing outrage at the bold marketing tactic, arguing that it exploited women. One online commenter exclaimed, “Are they out of their minds? This is illegal and brazen!” Another voiced concern, stating, “If this is allowed, any one of us could become the next victim of human trafficking.” A third person urged, “Please refrain from exploiting women as mere tools for reproduction!”
The advertisement evoked memories of a significant controversy from 2021 involving Chinese celebrity Zheng Shuang. She was accused by her ex-partner, producer Zhang Heng, of abandoning their two children born to surrogate mothers in the US after their relationship ended before the children were born.
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