A charity fund sponsored by six private firms was launched recently to promote employment opportunities for the country's 83 million disabled 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 disabled people, and to give awards to outstanding disabled people and to people who have done a lot to help the disabled.

Scientific research projects conducted by disabled people will also be sponsored by the fund.

China's State Council issued a new regulation in February to promote employment opportunities for disabled people.

Statistics show that China has 83 million disabled people but only 23 million are employed. Around 9 million employable disabled people have no jobs, and their number increases by 300,000 a year.

Funds to promote employment for disabled 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)