Shanghai is to provide relief to many poor families to ensure all local people have a happy New Year and Spring Festival.

Different types of aid will be provided to families living on social relief and those who suffer financial difficulty because of a family member's disability or disease.

The retired and unemployed, old people living on small pensions with no offspring, as well as poor college students, will also be helped during the festivals.

"To help people out of poverty and taste the fruits of Shanghai's development is our duty," said Vice Party Secretary Liu Yungeng. "The governments, communities and social institutes should join together to set up a network to provide sufficient help, both regularly and on festivals and special times."

Besides money, free winter coats and medical treatment, the city is urging community and company officials to pay visits to homes of the disabled and elderly who live alone, to send them season's greetings.

It will also provide skill training to some unemployed to help them find a new job.

The Shanghai Charity Foundation will also provide help and visit poor families during the festivals.

(Shanghai Daily December 22, 2004)