A charity fund sponsored by six private firms was launched
recently to promote employment opportunities for the country's 83
million handicapped people.
The Far East Fund has raised more than 100 million yuan (US$13
million) to date and expects to garner another 100 million yuan in
a year.
The money will be used to sponsor projects which provide job
training and services for handicapped people, and to give awards to
outstanding handicapped people and to people who have done a lot to
help the handicapped.
Scientific research projects conducted by handicapped people
will also be sponsored by the fund.
China's State Council issued a new regulation in February to
promote employment opportunities for handicapped people.
Statistics show that China has 83 million handicapped people but
only 23 million are employed. Around 9 million employable
handicapped people have no jobs, and their number increases by
300,000 a year.
Funds to promote employment for handicapped people and provide
them with job training and services will be part of the government
budget, the regulation says.
(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2007)