China set up on Tuesday the China Council of Lions Clubs (CCLC), an organization similar to Lions Clubs International (LCI), the world's largest community service organization.

The council aims to coordinate LCI events and encourage member clubs to engage in charitable activities in China, according to the CCLC's constitution.

Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), said he hopes that CCLC will develop its relationship with LCI. China's first related organization was the Guangdong Lions Club, which was founded in 2002.

Set up in 1917, LCI has a membership of more than 1.4 million in 193 countries around the world.

With the support of the CDPF and the Chinese Ministry of Health, LCI launched in 1997 the "Sight First China Action," which has helped 3.75 million cataract patients.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2005)