China will formally ban the trade in human organs from May 1, state media reported.

The regulation, issued by the State Council, or China's cabinet, does not apply to transplants of human tissue such as cells, corneas or bone marrow, the Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

"This is the first regulation of its kind introduced by the central government, and it is a milestone in the country's organ transplant history," vice health minister Huang Jiefu was quoted as saying.

China in July last year issued rules on the buying and selling of human organs for transplant.

The new regulation "stipulates that human organ transplants should respect the principle of voluntary and free donation and makes it a crime to harvest organs without the owner's permission or against his will," Xinhua said.

The law, which forbids the use of organs from minors, aims to "safeguard citizens' lawful rights" and ensure the quality of transplant surgery, it added.

The regulation sets out strict guidelines for hospitals allowed to perform organ transplants.

Doctors found to be involved in the organ trade will have their licences revoked, face fines and their clinics will be forbidden from performing transplant surgery for at least three years.

Officials convicted of trading in human organs will be sacked and kicked out of government, Xinhua said.

The health ministry said most organs are voluntarily donated by ordinary citizens and executed criminals who consented to donations before their deaths.