A volunteer blood donation center in Tianjin, the largest port city in north China, opened this week with Vice-Mayor Zhang Junfang as the first donor.

The volunteers included students, army servicemen, owners of foreign-funded and privately-owned companies. Potential donors can register on one of two websites and will be organized into four contingents including a group composed of RH negative blood donators.

A 49-year-old Taiwan food company boss, doing business in Tianjin, has voluntarily donated 16,000 ml. of blood over 64 occasions.

"Blood donation didn't do any harm to my health. It is an act to show your love for others," he said.

Hospitals in Tianjin, together with other major Chinese cities, reported blood shortage in recent months. In response to the municipal government's appeal for increased blood donations, more than 1,000 public servants in Tianjin donated blood from Feb. 4 to22, contributing to ease the blood shortage in the city.

Source: Xinhua