A man donates blood in Shanghai, April 3, 2017.?[Photo/VCG]

BEIJING - China recorded 14 million blood donations in 2016, up 6.1 percent from the previous year, according to the country's health watchdog.

By the end of last year, China had 1,262 blood donation centers and 1,584 mobile blood donation coaches, said a report on blood safety from the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

The report revealed that last year also saw continued drops in blood wastage and better blood quality, thanks to improved tests and quality control system.

Regional cooperations helped ease blood shortages in certain areas, said the report.

In addition, the commission called on heath authorities at various levels to do more to address the practice of blood trading under the name of "mutual aid."

China's Blood Donation Law encourages patients' family and friends to donate blood for that particular person, but forbids people from selling blood for gain.