Eastern China's metropolis of Shanghai will spend 350 million yuan (US$51 million) helping less well-off locals enjoy a relatively prosperous New Year's Day and the Spring Festival.

Seniors, disabled people and the unemployed can also enjoy a subsidy, said the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau on Monday.

As Shanghai has been chosen to aid Dujiangyan, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in its reconstruction after the massive earthquake in May, needy families in Dujiangyan will enjoy the festival subsidies along with those in Shanghai.

The bureaus said those in need will receive the subsidy before the start of 2009. However, officials would not say how much money each family can expect or how many people will receive help. The bureau said it will also help unemployed people find a job next year.

"This will especially help those families in which all the members are unemployed," said Ma Yili, director of the bureau. "We'll help at least one of them find a job at the start of next year."

Bureau officials said they will encourage neighborhood committees to establish more jobs for unemployed people.

(Shanghai Daily December 23, 2008)