Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday refuted a foreign media report that organs of executed prisoners are traded in China, saying the use of organs is "very cautious".

"The sale of organs is prohibited. Donated organs must have the consent of the donor in written form," Qin said.

The use of organs must also be approved by the provincial health department and the local provincial high court, he said.

Hospitals carrying out organ transplants must be qualified to do transplant surgery and should be approved by the provincial health department, he added.

China always abided by principles of the World Health Organization on human organ transplants, and the health departments dealt with those operations in strict accordance with law, Qin said.

He said China had implemented regulations on administration of human organ transplants on July 1, requesting hospitals to ensure quality and safety of such medical treatment. Any activity that violated relevant regulation would be punished according to law, he added.

Source: Xinhua