Lottery sales boost the elderly's welfare

BEIJING - Half of the public welfare funds raised from lottery sales from 2011 to 2015 - estimated to be 200 billion yuan ($31 billion) - will be allocated to improve social services for the elderly, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Civil affairs departments will be required to distribute at least 50 percent of the revenue from lottery sales to build nursing homes and facilities for the elderly, said Dou Yupei, vice-minister of civil affairs, on Wednesday.

With the money, China plans to add 3.36 million beds in nursing homes, ensuring that three beds will be available for every 100 seniors by the end of 2015, Dou said during a news conference in Beijing.