BEIJING - AGENTS who collect or supply blood that causes death or serious illness face stricter punishments starting on Tuesday in an attempt by Chinese authorities to crack down on the illegal sale of blood.

Those found guilty of collecting or supplying blood that causes at least five people to contract AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or syphilis, or that leads to severe anaemia or organ malfunction, could face 10 years to life in prison, said a statement by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate carried by the official Xinhua News Agency.

Unhygienic blood-buying rings were responsible for infecting thousands of people with HIV/AIDS in rural areas of central China, mostly in Henan province, during the mid-1990s. This led to stricter laws on donating blood, making it illegal to sell blood without approval.

But Tuesday's amendment significantly clarifies the range of actions and punishments in China's criminal code, and adds the names of diseases for the first time.

Spokesman for the Supreme People's Procuratorate Ni Shouming was quoted on Tuesday by the China Daily newspaper as saying blood suppliers who fail to operate according to national standards also face jail terms of less than 10 years.

Last year, six people in China's southern Guangdong province were jailed for illegally organising blood sales and helping people repeatedly sell blood under false names. -- AP