During China's Spring Festival holiday, which runs from February 6 to 12 this year, about 12,000 university students in Beijing will not return home for various reasons, and they will get government subsidies and part-time jobs, local media reported.

About 300 students were stranded by the bad weather in their hometowns, and they have priority on the government's assistance list.

About 2.3 million yuan (about US$328,571) in subsidies were extended by the city government to the stay-behinds, twice the money given last year. Also, 1,200 part-time paid jobs were offered.

In addition, universities provided services to these students, such as holding parties and opening libraries and gyms for them.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2008)