China Southern Airlines, one of China's leading airlines, launched a "caring foundation" Monday, with the first sum of 2.2 million yuan (some 265,000 US dollars) donating to those students with dire financial difficulties in 11 universities, including Beijing and Tsinghua universities in the national capital and Fudan University in Shanghai.

China Southern Airlines established its caring foundation with a total sum of 20 million yuan (about 2.5 million US dollars), and planned to increase five million yuan (some 620,000 US dollars) each year by drawing 0.1 yuan from each passenger plane ticket.

The foundation has been set up despite the rise of oil price and fierce competition in aviation market. A growing number of people in society showed their vim and vigor for charity, said Liu Shaoyong, general manager of China Southern Airlines.

China Southern Airlines have awarded eminent young students in recent years, "hope project" schools and top rated medical personnel with courageous, outstanding deeds in combating SARS, as part of its effort to show their readiness and wish to return profits to society.

Being the biggest airline company in China, the airlines transported more than 40 million passengers last year.

Source: Xinhua