Senior citizens who organize cultural and recreational activities in their communities are to benefit from a 1 million yuan (US$125,000) grant from Shenzhen's welfare lottery pool.

"The money will go to 100 projects citywide, 10,000 yuan for each," said Liu Runhua, chief of the city's civil affairs bureau, at the project launch ceremony yesterday.

"While it is not a large sum available this time, we prefer the subsidies to go to well-attended projects. Applicants can use the money to purchase facilities, pay training fees or cover rentals for venues needed for dances or other performances," Liu said.

By the end of last year, the city had set up around 580 recreational centers for senior citizens, including 500 recreational homes under a "starlight project" and 171 fitness centers. There are also nearly 200 senior citizens' sports clubs, 86 calligraphy and painting societies and 500 cultural activity groups citywide.

However, given a population of more than 80,000 aged above 65 in Shenzhen, with the figure growing fast, there are still not enough recreational facilities for the elderly. Many local retirees lead a boring life, doing housework, watching television and playing mahjong, he said.

"It is the Chinese tradition to respect the older generation and care for them," Liu said.

"We should help more senior citizens to organize activities and form societies according to their hobbies, like Beijing opera, paper cutting and tai chi, to enrich their lives."

Editor: Yan