Abandoned as newborn, China-born woman reunites with parents after growing up in Netherlands for 28 years

China woman abandoned at birth meets parents after life in Netherlands

A woman born in China and adopted abroad as an infant has reunited with her biological parents nearly three decades later, in an emotional homecoming made possible through DNA matching, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

Hong Yangli, now 28, returned to Nanchang in Jiangxi province earlier this month, meeting her birth parents for the first time since she was abandoned shortly after birth. The reunion marked the end of a decades-long search driven by unanswered questions about her origins.

According to the report, Hong had been separated from her family under tragic circumstances. Born into a rural household as the third child, she was taken away just a day after birth by her grandfather, who had offered to care for her. Her mother, still recovering from childbirth and with her husband away, agreed as she was unaware it would be the last time she would see her daughter.

The grandfather, who reportedly preferred male children, abandoned the newborn in a toilet in a nearby village. Two days later, the infant was discovered by a passer-by and taken to a local welfare home. She was left with a small sum of money, milk powder, and a note indicating her date of birth.

Life of Hong takes a turn

From there, her life took a dramatically different path. She was given the name Hong Yangli at the welfare centre and later placed with a foster family before being adopted by a Dutch couple at the age of one. She grew up in the Netherlands, where she was raised in a supportive environment and eventually went on to complete a PhD.

Despite building a life abroad, Hong reportedly always felt a pull to understand her roots. In December 2024, with the help of volunteers, she submitted a blood sample to a DNA database for missing children in China. Authorities were eventually able to identify her biological parents through a successful match.

Her return to China on March 14 became an emotional moment for the family. According to the South China Morning Post, her parents organised a warm welcome, complete with a banquet and traditional firecrackers. Overwhelmed with emotion, her mother reportedly said, “My daughter is back,” as she embraced Hong for the first time in 28 years.

Her father, who had long carried guilt over what happened, expressed gratitude and relief at finally being reunited. He also presented Hong with symbolic gifts, including a gold bracelet and a jade pendant.

Language barriers remained, as Hong does not speak Chinese, but volunteers assisted with translation throughout the reunion. Despite this, the emotional connection was evident, with both Hong and her parents moved to tears.

The family now hopes to stay connected across continents. As quoted by the South China Morning Post, Hong’s father said they plan to visit her adoptive parents in the Netherlands later this year, adding that they are thankful to them “for raising such a wonderful daughter.” He also emphasised that they would respect Hong’s choices about her future, including where she wishes to live.