About 30 children aged from nine to 16 are living at the municipal Homeless Children Protection and Education Center.

They come from Guizhou Province, southwest China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China, Hunan Province in central China, and Shandong Province, east China.

Local officials say the center was designed to provide accommodation for homeless or needy children aged 10 to 16.

Eligible children include child beggars or children who have run away from home or whose parents or guardians cannot be located, and children abused or suffering from domestic violence.

Covering 9,052 square meters and with 100 beds, the center is located in Lubeikou Village in Dasi Township, Xiqing District.

There are classrooms, a reading room, McDonald's-style dining room and sports facilities in the center.

Yang Shuxun, an official in charge of helping the homeless, said teachers had been hired to ensure children at the center enjoy the same education as other children.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2002)