12 needles surgically removed from baby

An 11-month-old baby who had 16 needles inserted in her body has had an operation during which all remaining needles were removed, and she is recovering in a hospital.

"The operation on Tuesday lasted three and a half hours, and doctors removed all remaining 12 needles in her body," Hou Xiaoju, from the publicity department of Beijing Children's Hospital, said on Wednesday.

Another staff member from the hospital, who only gave her surname, Yu, said the operation was a success, and the girl may recover after a week.