Help in need

An important part of the activities for Chinese lunar new year, which began on Feb 3 and end on Feb 17, is the red envelopes containing cash that are handed out to bowing children.

The government has followed this custom in aiding 86 million people living in poverty. The Ministry of Finance delivered 10.4 billion yuan ($1.59 billion) as living allowances to China's needy in time for the country's most important holiday. Those Tibetans who are on the aid list will get their money before their New Year that starts on March 5.

Some local authorities in such areas as Tianjin, Chongqing, Yunnan and Tibet also drew on their coffers to give those in straitened circumstances red envelops.