China’s National Health Commission has launched an investigation into a hospital in the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing following allegations of its participation in surrogacy, an activity prohibited in China, which gained widespread attention on social media.
This development follows a series of official inquiries last year concerning the issuance of counterfeit birth certificates, occurring at a time when China is actively seeking to increase its birth rate.
According to a post circulating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sunday, Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital has allegedly collaborated with illegal surrogacy agencies. The post, authored by a user named Shangguan Zhengyi, who identifies as a volunteer combating child trafficking, claims that surrogate mothers utilized falsified ID cards to deliver babies at the hospital, followed by the creation of counterfeit birth certificates.
In response to the post, the local Chongqing health committee announced on its website that a team had been assembled to investigate and authenticate the situation. The statement further asserts that once verified, appropriate legal measures will be taken against the hospital.
Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital has not yet responded to a faxed request for comment.
The Weibo post regarding the hospital quickly became one of the most discussed topics on Monday, attracting hundreds of comments. Users expressed skepticism about the extent of the issue, with one remarking, “This industry always seems to have existed,” while another user pointed out, “This is an industrial chain, not something that can be accomplished by one person.”
Last year, China declared its intention to “severely crack down” on unlawful activities associated with assisted reproductive technologies, including the buying or selling of sperm or eggs, as well as surrogacy. In November, a hospital and a judicial institute in Wuhan were suspended following accusations of involvement in surrogacy and the fabrication of paternity results.
In China, birth certificates are mandatory for obtaining household registration and are essential for various purposes such as vaccinations, medical insurance enrollment, and application for a social security card.
