Tianjin Oriental Transplant Center is the largest of its kind in China, covering an area of 3,000 square meters, said Shen Zhongyang, director of the center.

It will carry out liver and kidney transplants and develop techniques to transplant other organs including the pancreas, bones and skin, Shen said.

Over one million people die of liver cancer in the world each year, half of which are from China. Liver transplanting is an effective way to save cancer patients, Shen said.

The center is affiliated to Tianjin No. 1 Center Hospital, which has successfully transplanted over 1,000 livers.

(People's Daily December 29, 2003)