Sound Development of Social Welfare Undertakings
In 2004, there were 37,000 social welfare institutions offering adoption services. With more than 1.33 million beds, an increase of 2.5 percent over the figure for 2003, these institutions took in 1.023 million people, up 4.8 percent over the previous year. Welfare-oriented enterprises numbered 32,000, a decrease of 2,000, employing 635,000 handicapped people, 4,000 less than the preceding year.

New Achievement in Sales of Welfare Lotteries
The sales of welfare lotteries in China raked in 22.64 billion yuan in 2004, up 13.2 percent compared with 2003, and raised 7.92 billion yuan in social welfare funds. Welfare lotteries accounted for 60 percent of the national lottery market in 2004, up from 50 percent in 2003.

Active Actions in Social Donations
Up to the end of 2004, the number of workstations for social donations with fixed sites stood at 27,356 around the country, which was 644 less than 2003. For the whole year, direct cash contributions totaled 1.42 billion yuan, in addition to 68.5 million pieces of clothing and 85.176 billion yuan worth of other materials. Indirect cash contributions totaled 83.225 million yuan, in addition to 13.19 million pieces of clothing and 28.976 million yuan worth of other materials. The donations benefited 18.492 million people in difficulties. Private donations by Chinese people for those affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami at the end of 2004 stood at more than 300 million yuan as of mid-January.