The Ministry of Civil Affairs' promise to revise the rules to make it easier for individuals to adopt orphans or abandoned children is welcome. However, that such a promise is the result of the death of seven orphans in a fire at their impoverished foster mother's home shows how necessary it is to match words with deeds.

Remaining in doubt are to what degree such rules can be executed to the letter and how much importance those officials in charge of such work attach to the well-being of children who have been adopted by individuals or non-governmental orphanages.

Yuan Lihai, the foster mother of the seven children that died in Lankao county, Central China's Henan province, has adopted more than 100 abandoned children over 25 years. If not for the fire, she would still be caring for the 17 abandoned children that she was raising at the time, which clearly exceeds her capability.