Li Xinjing, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Civil Affairs, said there are 175 handicapped orphans aged 0-18 in Beijing's social welfare institutions who badly need a help from surgery. Over the next three years, the number will increase to around 800, he said.

Each operation will cost 20,000 yuan (about US$2,418) on average, 40 percent of which would come from the administration of civil affairs, while the rest would be paid by the welfare lottery and social donation, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2004)