China's Ministry of Health is drafting new rules to make organ donation easier for the public.

The regulation will standardize organ donation procedures and encourage people to become donors.

"Many more donors are needed, but they often meet difficulties when they apply, so the ministry must standardize the application process and technology of transplants, which is complicated and risky," said ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an.

Mao was responding to questions about reports of would-be donors having their wishes thwarted because of confusion over the procedures or which agency to apply to.

The regulation would outline the application process and stipulate the requirements for hospitals that handle transplants.

"Only the medical institutions that meet technological requirements can undertake transplant surgery," said Mao.

Officials estimate two million Chinese need transplants each year, but  20,000 operations are conducted.

The Ministry of Health said most organs in China had been voluntarily donated by citizens. A small number came from death-row inmates who had volunteered.