Chinese authorities are investigating a report that a hospital employee in Shanxi province was involved in selling newborn babies.
The city of Datong has formed an investigation team and promised to take strict action against any illegal or disciplinary issues, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The case first came to light when anti-trafficking advocate Shangguan Zhengyi alerted the police. In a social media post on Thursday, Shangguan claimed he had received a tip from a source about a hospital cleaner at Datong No. 1 People’s Hospital who was allegedly facilitating the sale of infants.
Datong No. 1 People’s Hospital has one of the largest obstetrics departments in Shanxi, with six wards and 207 beds. The hospital handles about 210,000 outpatient visits annually and delivers approximately 12,700 babies, accounting for nearly 40% of the births in Datong.
Shangguan, acting on the tip, went undercover to contact the cleaner, a woman identified as Wang. On November 5, Wang allegedly reached out to Shangguan, informing him that a relative of a friend was about to give birth to a boy and was willing to sell the baby for at least 85,000 yuan (around US$11,645). Wang then asked if Shangguan was interested in meeting the family.
A few days later, Shangguan traveled to Datong and met Wang. Gaining her trust, Wang reportedly confessed that she had worked at the hospital for years and had been arranging sales of unwanted infants.
In early December, Wang told Shangguan that she had been fired from her job due to these activities but claimed she had not been investigated. She warned Shangguan not to contact her again.
On December 27, Shangguan reported the case to the Datong police.
According to South Reviews, a Chinese magazine, Wang had recently facilitated the sale of a baby girl born on December 17 at the hospital. The infant’s mother sought 75,000 yuan for the baby, while Wang charged the buyer 105,000 yuan for the transaction.
The report also revealed a previous case in 2022, in which a doctor at the same hospital was involved in selling a baby. The doctor helped a 15-year-old pregnant teenager, who could not care for the child, by arranging a sale to a couple unable to conceive. The mother received 41,000 yuan for the baby. In 2023, the doctor was detained but later released on bail. Datong prosecutors decided not to pursue charges due to the “minor criminal consequences” of her actions.
Under China’s criminal law, trafficking and selling women or children can result in prison sentences of over five years, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in severe cases. Those who purchase women or children can face up to three years in prison.
Shangguan has been active in reporting trafficking cases. In 2023, his efforts led to the conviction of three former health officials involved in a scheme to steal nearly 5,000 birth certificates in Henan province. The stolen birth certificates were sold across different provinces, allowing people to obtain hukou (household registration) for children of unknown origin.
In China, hukou status is critical for accessing public services, including healthcare, education, and other social benefits. Without a hukou, children can face severe disadvantages in these areas.
Related Topics:
