China will continue to crack down on surrogacy in a bid to provide safe, standard and efficient assisted reproductive technology to Chinese couples, according to Mao Qunan, a spokesperson for the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC).

"Over the past few years, with the help of public tip-offs, media reports and close cooperation with relevant departments, the NHFPC has discovered and punished a number of illegal surrogacy cases," Mao said.

Mao's remarks came during a Feb. 8 news conference by NHFPC, which introduced issues concerning medical services across the country. Surrogacy is banned in most regions, and organizations and individuals that engage in surrogacy may face a variety of penalties, including fines, Mao said.

China's former health ministry enacted laws to manage assisted reproductive technology, which strictly prohibits medical institutions and staff from supporting any form of surrogate technology, Mao added.