China launches official social welfare website

BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Chinese media) -- China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has opened a

social welfare website where the public can book places in care homes, ask

questions and file complaints.

The website, which also featured welfare policies, was expected to offer,

in three to four months, more specific services concerning the elderly, the

disabled and orphans, said Feng Xiaoli, director of the ministry's social

welfare center.

The center would recommend through the website care service products, Feng

said.

Visitors could also book places in care homes. "For example, if elderly

people from the north want to spend winter in warmer southern areas or those

from the south want a cooler summer in the north, they can do that," she said.

Visitors could also ask questions and discuss problems, and the ministry

would organize experts to respond, she said.

According to the ministry, China has 42,057 welfare

facilities.