China will distribute nationwide new welfare lottery featuring Shanghai World Expo starting next month.

The money thus raised will be fully funneled to aid quake reconstruction cause in southwest China's Sichuan Province which was hit by a devastating earthquake in May last year leaving more than 80,000 people dead or missing, said a source with Shanghai branch of China welfare lottery distribution and management center, an affiliate of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs.

China welfare lottery distribution and management center Saturday signed an agreement over details of the distribution in Shanghai with Shanghai World Expo Affairs Coordination Bureau.

The distribution has been approved by the Chinese Ministry of Finance. The lottery - with five yuan, 10 yuan and 20 yuan as face value apiece - will be available at all franchise goods shops for Shanghai World Expo, alongside conventional welfare lottery vending storefronts.

The Shanghai world expo will run from May 1 to October 31 next year. It is expected to attract 70 million visitors. So far, 240 countries and international organizations have confirmed to attend the expo.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2009)