Hong Kong: National Health Commission of China Said he was looking into it hospital in the southwestern megacity of chongqing For its alleged involvement in Surrogate motherwhich is illegal ChinaAfter wide spread of this issue on social media.

The incident follows a series of official investigations last year into the issuance of fake birth certificates as China tries to boost its birth rate.

A post on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sunday said Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital was cooperating with illegal surrogacy agencies.

According to the post, surrogate mothers used fake ID cards to deliver babies in the hospital and forged birth certificates after the babies were born. The post was made by a user named Shangguan Zhengyi, who identified herself as a Fights as a volunteer. child trafficking,

The local Chongqing health committee said in a statement on its website on Sunday in response to the post that a team had been set up to investigate and verify the situation.

“Once verified, it will be dealt with seriously in accordance with (hospital) laws and regulations.”

Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

The Weibo post on the hospital was one of the top trending items on Monday, drawing hundreds of comments.

“It seems like this industry has always existed,” a user named Wensheng commented. Another user named XJ said: “This is an industrial chain, not something that can be completed by one person.”

China last year said it would take “strong action” on illegal activities related to the buying and selling of sperm or eggs and the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as surrogacy.

It suspended a hospital and judicial institution in Wuhan in November after they were accused of surrogacy and issuing fake paternity results.

A birth certificate is required to obtain household registration in China and is required for vaccinations, medical insurance enrollment, and applying for a social security card.

(Reporting by Farah Master and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)