Donating blood has become a unique, new way to mark the new millennium in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"We are happy to donate blood, as it shows that we are in good physical condition," said 47-year-old Ms. Zhou today at Times Square in the provincial capital of Guiyang. This was the fifth time she has given blood.

A large number of people came to the square this morning and stood in line with other donors all hoping to give blood on the first day of the new year.

The Guizhou Provincial Blood Center issued a certificate of commemoration for the last blood donor of 1999 and the first in the year 2000. The center launched a special campaign for more blood donations yesterday and today.

"The campaign is aimed to encourage more people to donate their blood for free in the new millennium," said center director Lu Lianggui.

"We are young, and we should contribute more to society," said a 19-year-old girl, who came to the donation bank with her boyfriend.

Yang Jie, a student at Guiyang Medical College, said that she gave blood not only to help others, but possibly to help herself in the future.

"All my family members have donated blood except my mother, who is frail," Yang said.

At present, the demand of blood in 48 Chinese cities can be satisfied by volunteer blood donations, sources say.

And today in Shanghai, a leading Chinese industrial and commercial city, more than 100 people from all walks of life gave blood in the first millennium blood draw.