A charity drive launched by 172 of China's large state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has benefited 547,400 needy workers so far this year.
Statistics show that the large SOEs pooled 485 million yuan (US$58.4 million) recently to guarantee workers would observe a happy New Year and the Spring Festival, and 248,300 workers were registered for future aid.
The drive made part of the traditional "send warmth project" which focuses on helping needy workers. It has also allocated 323 million yuan (39 million U.S. dollars) for a "send warmth" fund.
(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2002)
