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)