The Chinese Air Force Monday donated 2.58 million yuan (about US$324,000) to the Spring Bud Plan, a project aimed at helping girl dropouts in poverty-stricken areas return to school. The sum of money will help 1,000 female students from impoverished families in northeast, central and west China to finish their senior high school education.

 

The Spring Bud Plan was launched by China Children and Teenager's Fund (CCTF) in 1989.

 

Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and vice chairwoman of the CCTF, and Yang Dongming, deputy commander of the Air Force attended the donation ceremony.

 

Yang said that the Air Force recognizes the importance of caring for children and is committed to promoting education for the young and related welfare work. Air Force personnel regularly undertake social work as a show of their commitment. He added that supporting education development in poor areas of the countries and helping female students to complete their studies are vital for the enhancement of national equality and the construction of a harmonious society.

 

The Air Force has been supporting the Spring Bud Plan since 1995. To date, it has donated a total of 9.2 million yuan (US$1.15 million). Its donations have facilitated the opening of 86 Blue Sky Spring Bud Girls Classes and two primary schools that have put more than 5,000 dropouts back in school.

 

August 1 marked the 79th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

 

(China.org.cn by Zhou Jing, August 2, 2006)