Full Breakdown
Surrogate Pregnancy for Chinese Billionaire Xu Bo Sparks Scrutiny of U.S. Surrogacy Agency
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A California surrogate, “Judy,” learned the child she is carrying is intended for Chinese gaming magnate Xu Bo, who is reported to have fathered more than 100 children through U.S. surrogacy. CBS News obtained documents linking Xu Bo to Patriot Conceptions, the agency that matched Judy with the intended parent.
Background & Context
Commercial surrogacy is legal in the United States and draws international clients, especially from China where it is prohibited. Patriot Conceptions, founded in 2019 by Haotian Bai, serves a global clientele; about 40 % of its business comes from overseas intended parents. The agency’s practices are under renewed examination after the Xu Bo case.
Key Figures & Groups
- Xu Bo — Founder of Guangzhou Duoyi Network, one of China’s largest mobile-game companies; reported to have fathered “a little over one hundred” children via U.S. surrogates.
- Haotian Bai — CEO of Patriot Conceptions; former Hoover Institution fellow (2024-25) and ex-U.S. Army chemical-operations specialist.
- Judy — California surrogate who signed a $120,000 contract with Patriot Conceptions, believing she was helping a “single father.”
- Patriot Conceptions — California agency that matched Judy with Xu Bo.
- Hoover Institution — Stanford think-tank that terminated Bai’s fellowship after media reports.
Timeline
- 2018 – Bai co-founds a surrogacy agency (later dissolved).
- 2019 – Bai establishes Patriot Conceptions.
- 2023 – Bai selected for the Hoover Veteran Fellowship.
- 2024-25 – Bai serves as a Hoover fellow, focusing on veterans’ access to IVF.
- April (year unspecified) – Judy travels to California for embryo transfer; learns the intended parent is Xu Bo the night before the procedure.
- December 2025 – The Wall Street Journal reports Xu Bo has fathered over 100 children via U.S. surrogates; his company acknowledges “a little over one hundred” children and confirms 12 U.S.-born children.
- September (year unspecified) – CBS News publishes its investigative report.
- October 1 2026 – CBS releases a follow-up story on the surrogate’s experience and the agency’s response.
Data & Statistics
- International clientele: 40 % of Patriot Conceptions’ business comes from non-U.S. intended parents, with a significant share from China.
- Compensation: Judy’s contract stipulated $120,000 for the pregnancy.
- Children count: Company statements cite “a little over one hundred” children; a former partner claims the number could be as high as 300; Xu Bo acknowledges custody of 12 U.S.-born children.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Hoover Institution pledged a full internal review of its Veteran Fellowship application process.
- The agency denied urging Judy to terminate her contract, noting representatives visited her hotel with “flowers and snacks” after her embryo transfer.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of children: The company’s December 2025 statement cites “a little over one hundred,” while a Wall Street Journal investigation reported “over 100.” Former partner Tang Jing alleges up to 300, a figure Xu Bo disputes.
- Agency’s knowledge: Patriot Conceptions claims ignorance of the family’s scale; Judy says the agency never advised her to end the agreement and only later presented “flowers and snacks.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “He had no deployments and left the Army in the rank of specialist,” — Christopher Surridge
- “ "I felt like I trusted this agency to kind of protect surrogates and match them with people with good intentions," Judy said.” — Judy
What’s Next
The Hoover Institution has announced a comprehensive internal review of its Veteran Fellowship application procedures. Patriot Conceptions has declined further on-camera interviews, leaving open the possibility of additional regulatory or legal scrutiny.