Shanghai is attempting to transfer to qualified families the custody of children who have been abandoned in hospitals but cannot be categorized as orphans.

A number of departments in Shanghai, including civil affairs, police and courts, as well as the Shanghai Women's Federation, are working together to deal with such cases.

Government staff will first contact the children's parents in an effort to persuade them to take back their children. If the parents refuse to do so, they will be given administrative or criminal punishment.