The first phase construction on the Shifang Social Welfare Center wrapped up on Tuesday in Shifang, one of the worst-hit areas in the Sichuan earthquake. The center is the first permanent new construction in Shifang since the May 12 quake, local Deyang Daily reports.

The project was completed under the support of Beijing municipal government working in tandem with the local government of Shifang.

This phase of the project, which began on May 28, established 86 rooms with living capacity for 132 residents.

The new center incorporates energy-efficient building materials to keep it cool in the blazing Sichuan summers. The building is designed to stand for more than 30 years, and includes advantages such as a high earthquake-resistance capability, shortened construction time, and environmentally-friendly features.

Shifang Social Welfare Center is a high-quality welfare center which primarily serves orphans, the elderly, and the disabled.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2008)