CHINESE ADOPTIONS
In titling Bruce Porter's article "China's Market in Orphan Girls" (April 11) and subtitling it "China's Newest Export," you have done a serious disservice both to the Chinese Government and to families adopting in China.
As New Yorkers who have recently adopted in China, we can attest firsthand to the seriousness with which China and its officials take the adoption process. Even after extensive investigation in the United States, prospective parents are required to travel to China to be interviewed by a number of Chinese officials about such matters as their ability to educate and care for children they adopt.
What is more, the modest fees involved are donated to the local orphanage to assist in the care of children. In stark contrast to other countries and, indeed, to the United States, where lawyers and intermediaries routinely profit from adoption, China has made every attempt to create a thoughtful, sensitive and orderly process by which homeless children are placed in qualified, loving homes. Simply put, it is a process for which the Chinese deserve congratulation rather than implicit criticism.
The decision to allow Chinese children to be placed for adoption abroad was by all accounts an extremely difficult one for the Chinese Government. In fact, as we write, Beijing has temporarily stopped adoption while the rules and regulations governing it are reviewed once again. It would be extraordinarily unfortunate if The New York Times, an institution with a reputation for integrity, objectivity and socially responsible journalism, were to cause disruption of the adoption of children from China through the use of inaccurate and thoughtlessly provocative language. SUSAN CAUGHMAN, LAURIE HEINEMAN  Co-Chairwomen, Association of Families of Adopted Chinese Children
New York, N.Y.