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The government has allocated 1.12 billion yuan ($145 million) to set up more than 350 shelters for homeless children in cities and counties by 2010, a senior civil affairs official said yesterday.

Xu Xiuling, a director of finance and accounting department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs said: "The move is expected to substantially cut the number of homeless young people on the streets."

There are currently about 130 shelters offering support to more than 110,000 homeless juveniles each year.

But there are only one-tenth the number of facilities available to young vagrants on the street, says National Development and Reform Commission deputy chief Zhang Mao.

In recent years, hundreds of children have been trafficked to work in illegal coal mines and to cities for forced labor or organized begging.

There are 280 new centers in cities and about 70 in counties. 35,000 beds will be added to cater to more than 500,000 a year. The centers will be equipped with about 350 cars to transport children across regions or provinces.

Xu says the move is part of 5.65 billion yuan ($733 million) to be spent on three projects. The other two are for building children welfare institutions and community service systems.

He adds the amount spent by the central government on civil affairs projects is unprecedented.

Of the total budget, 1.6 billion yuan ($213 million) is from the central government, 1.33 billion yuan ($177 million) from the ministry and the rest from local governments, Xu said.

Vice-minister of civil affairs, Li Liguo says these plans will play an important role in improving infrastructure and service facilities.

By the end of 2006, about 45,000 orphans – or 10 percent of the total - were housed in 249 welfare institutions.

Questions:

1. How many homeless shelters for children does the government want to set up by 2010?

2. What has happened to many homeless children?

3. Name the two other projects the government is focused on in helping young vagrants.

Answers:

1. More than 350.

2. They are trafficked to work in illegal coal mines, and go to the cities into forced labor or organized begging.

3. Build children welfare institutions and community service systems.

（英语点津 Linda 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.