The Japanese government has decided to lend 9.173 billion yen (674 million yuan) to China to finance environmental protection and social development projects in southwest China's Guizhou Province, official sources said.

 

The projects will be carried out in 12 impoverished counties in the province, covering sectors of education, public health, community development, water supply and garbage treatment, among others.

 

The Chinese government will provide a complementary fund of 224.16 million yuan (US$28.92 million).

 

According to local officials, the projects will be completed in five years and benefit 3.67 million poor people in 3,399 villages. Thanks to the projects, 196,000 people are likely to be lifted out of poverty.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2007)