The first group of four shelters built specifically for vagrants and beggars in Beijing went into operation Friday.

The opening of the shelters marks the beginning of a government program to aid urban homeless. A set of new regulations, approved by the State Council, which is designed to guarantee a basic living for China's urban homeless, also became effective on Friday.

The four shelters are located in Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan districts of Beijing's city proper.

The shelters will help homeless people who cannot afford food or housing, without relatives to help them, and who do not qualify for allowances for urban or rural residents.

Homeless people will be able to stay at the shelters for no more than 10 days, according to the civil affairs bureau of Beijing.

Those who have made a career of begging, and show no inclination of taking up regular employment, will not be helped, said the bureau.

The shelters will provide food, housing and medical treatment, and help contact relatives.

(Chinaview August 1, 2003)