A review of the national policies on street children in China

Global research related to street children has been conducted for over 30 years but in-depth research into policy approaches of individual countries and their response to street children is limited. The current research contributes to the literature by reviewing the Chinese national policies on street children, and referring to the international framework of policy approaches towards street children, identifies 3 policy approaches adopted by Chinese government: correctional and institutional, rehabilitation, and prevention. The research finds that the policy responses of the Chinese government towards street children vary with social development, and have shifted from the correctional and institutional approach under the custody and repatriation system (1982-2003) and rehabilitation approach under the new relief and management system (2003−2013) to the prevention approach after 2013. The article concludes by arguing that the Chinese government has adopted a prevention approach and is making progress in establishing a child social protection system to prevent the root causes of child homelessness. Suggestions are proposed for further strengthening the child protection system with a particular focus on prioritizing children's rights alongside child welfare.