Data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University tell a similar story. The facility has carried out 1,295 liver transplants since 1993, with 72 organs from deceased donors, all coming after 2010 when the hospital joined a program to promote volunteer donations.

Of the 148 liver transplants the hospital did last year, 40 organs came from deceased donors, up from just two in 2010.

The proportion of livers from deceased and living donors also increased to 29.7 percent last year, up from 11.8 percent in 2010.

Jose R. Nunez, a transplant specialist with the World Health Organization, said China has begun a new era in organ donation and transplants based on transparency, public confidence and support.

Transplants rely on technical expertise, but they also require willing donors, he said, adding that to respect and encourage the public, "transparency, fairness and traceability have to be ensured".

Francis Delmonico, president of the Transplantation Society, agreed and said: "A volunteer registry would definitely help promote the concept of organ donation and raise public awareness."

Wang Qingyun contributed to this story.