State Councilor Ismail Amat made the remark in an inspection tour in Shanghai, the largest metropolis in China. During the trip, the official visited the Shanghai Welfare Lottery Center and studied the city’s achievements in developing communities and welfare facilities.

Civil affairs departments at all levels are authorized to issue a welfare lottery to raise funds for charitable and social security, the state councilor said.

He praised civil affairs authorities for their decade-long efforts to develop the charitable lottery business with the assistance from financial departments.

He urged to resolve problems that exist in the lottery business, and improve managerial and technological means, so as to make the industry more market-oriented.

He urged to further recognize the importance of lottery businesses and make greater efforts in the issuance of welfare lottery, try to lower the cost and raise more funds, and strengthen control and adopt strict rules in the business.

(Xinhua 01/10/2001)