Two counties in northwest China's Shaanxi Province will be provided with a financial aid totaling 1.33 million yuan (US$166,000) from the government of Japan.

A special signing function was held in Zhashui County, one of the two beneficiary counties.

Zhu Guifeng, deputy administrative leader of Zhashui County, said 620,000 yuan would be spent on the purchase of medical equipment which will be put to use in Zhashui, one of the poor counties in the country.

And the remainder will be spent for covering costs needed to protect the red ibis, one of the most endangered bird species in the world, in Ningshan County, also in Shaanxi Province.

It is expected the money will be in place by late March.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)