China sees big progress in blood donation since 1998
1998年以來中國獻血狀況進展重大

Today is World Blood Donor Day, and countries across the world have been thanking people who give life-saving blood, and encouraging more voluntary donations.

The deputy head of China's Health and Family Planning Commission Ma Xiaowei, summarized the nation's progress in blood donations at a meeting. He said in China, a total of 12.99 million people voluntarily gave blood in 2014, a 40-fold increase on 1998. That is, 9.5 out of every 1,000 people donated blood in 2014, meeting the standard recommended by the World Health Organization.

In 1998, China enacted a Blood Donation Law, encouraging citizens between 18 and 55 years old to give blood voluntarily. However, experts say difficulties in coping with blood shortages and ensuring a safe blood supply still persist.