Beijing, Feb 16 (IANS): At least 25 baby hatches have been established in 10 provincial regions in China and more will be set up in another 18 regions, said the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption.
A baby hatch is a safe place where people can anonymously bring infants and leave them to be found and cared for. The first baby hatch in China was founded in June 2011 in Shijiazhuang, capital of China's Hebei province, Xinhua reported Sunday.
A new baby hatch established during the Spring Festival in Guangzhou city, has received 33 babies in its 10 days of operation so far.
According to the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption, baby hatches could better protect babies after they are abandoned and improve their survival rate.
However, baby hatches have faced criticism, with some saying they have encouraged parents to dump their unwanted children, which is prohibited by the Chinese law.