The local government of the county of Pingtan has established a 200,000-yuan ($32,600) fund with support coming from 18 entrepreneurs, which will allow as many as 40 college students from families with financial difficulties to forge ahead with their studies.

The beneficiaries, who are all sophomores in universities, got subsidized through the fund last year and they will be able to continue up through graduation, according to Huang Jianghong, a local entrepreneur.

One recipient, Ding Wenting, last year's top gaokao scorer in literary arts from Pingtan, was full of gratitude after she received 5,000 yuan in aid from another participating donor.

Ding responded by saying, “I'd really like to say 'Thank you' to Mr. Wu and I often give him a call to let him know how I'm doing at school. He gave me so much help.”

Local government officials say they will keep an eye on the financial situation of this year's freshmen and try to reach out to more entrepreneurs to get help if they need it.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Roger Bradshaw