In a six-year legal battle, an unmarried Chinese woman, Teresa Xu, fought for her right to freeze her eggs but ultimately lost her case. The Chaoyang Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing ruled against Xu, upholding the hospital’s decision to deny her access to egg freezing services based on regulations that require women to be married in order to freeze their eggs in China.
Xu first sought egg freezing services at age 30 in 2018 but was denied by the hospital because of her unmarried status. Despite considering alternatives like egg freezing abroad, she found the cost prohibitive. After multiple attempts, the court finally accepted her case in 2019, but the process was delayed due to the pandemic.
In its 2022 judgment, the court stated that the hospital did not violate Xu’s rights by denying her the procedure. Xu expressed disappointment but decided to appeal, knowing the low chance of success. She believed her case could have an impact on society, as changes in China’s birth policy could lead to changes in medical regulations and ethics.
Although Xu did not succeed in her legal battle, she remained hopeful for future changes in reproductive rights and medical standards in China. The court’s decision, while disappointing, acknowledged the potential for adjustments in medical laws and ethics as the country’s birth policy evolves.
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