China is considering expanding the Red Cross societies' duties in donation of stem cells and organs, according to a draft unveiled Monday.
The draft revision of the 1993 Law on the Red Cross Society was given a second reading at the bimonthly session of National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee that opened on Monday.
The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has played a positive role in the donation of stem cells and organs, so the revised law should legitimize these affairs as the societies' formal duties, said the draft.
The RCSC established a organ donation administration center in 2012, and became a major force in organ donations, coordinating donations at every stage, from donor registration to organ distribution.
The draft suggests improving information disclosure of Red Cross societies by publishing revenue sources and the use of donations.
The Red Cross should be supervised by local governments and auditing authorities and "no organization or individual should divide, embezzle, hold or occupy the property of the Red Cross."
The first reading of the draft of the amendment suggested independent third-party agencies should audit donations.
China's Red Cross has grappled with trust issues since 2011, when a woman called Guo Meimei, who claimed to work for an association affiliated with the RCSC, posted photographs online of her lavish lifestyle. This led to speculation that donation may have been embezzled to fund her extravagances.
The RCSC's reputation took a major hit despite an investigation finding that neither "Guo Meimei" nor her apparent wealth had anything to do with the RCSC.
