Trafficking of organs condemned at Vatican

For the second year, a Chinese delegate took part in a two-day conference in Vatican City aimed at preventing organ trafficking. The conference ended on Tuesday.

Participants at the yearly Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, which was held at the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences, included officials, experts and advocates from around the world.

Summit speakers included Wang Haibo, a Chinese medical expert representing Huang Jiefu, a former vice-minister of health and current head of the National Human Organ Donation and Transplant Committee. Wang reiterated China's stance on strict measures against organ trafficking.

The World Health Organization, the United Nations and other organizations condemn organ trafficking, as well as human trafficking for the purpose of organ removal.

China's Global Times newspaper reported over the weekend that China would present its efforts to combat organ trafficking and progress concerning organ donations and transplants at the summit.

Last year, 77 signatories at the summit called for the criminal prosecution of those involved in organ trafficking to protect victims and promote ethical and well-regulated organ donation programs, among other recommendations.

Xinhua