Babies wash up after enjoying a swim with their parents at a center in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in January.[For China Daily/Miao Jian] 

China has released a document on the assessment standards of family foster care for children, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The document stipulated certain standards for foster families and children and the procedures of assessment in detail, said Zhao Yong, deputy director of the ministry's child welfare department, at a press conference Monday.

According to the document, the environment of foster families should be favorable for the children's growth. Foster families that fail to perform their duties or abuse the children will have their qualifications withdrawn.

The document detailed the age, and physical and mental condition of children that are suitable for foster care, requiring the opinions of children be taken into consideration.

It is also stated in the document that the assessment on foster families and children should be conducted by qualified third parties, including social organizations that specialize in child welfare work.

Foster care, along with adoption, is a major method to address the needs of orphans. So far, a total of 6,991 children nationwide are in foster care.

(Source: China Daily)