China will implement a new regulation to promote employment opportunities for the country's 83 million handicapped people.

The regulation, issued last month by the State Council, China's cabinet, requires that handicapped people make up no less than 1.5 percent of the work force of government departments, enterprises and institutions.

Handicapped employees must be given equal promotion opportunities and equal salaries and social insurance, according to the regulation which comes into effect on May 1.

Statistics show that China has 82.96 million handicapped people but only 22.66 million are employed. More than 8.58 million employable handicapped people have no jobs, and their number increases by 300,000 a year.

Government departments, institutions and enterprises that employ more handicapped people will enjoy preferential tax and other policies, said the regulation.

Self-employed handicapped will enjoy preferential treatment in tax and other management and registration charges. They can also get small loans when starting their own businesses, according to the regulation.

Handicapped people living in rural areas are encouraged to engage in cultivation, stock raising and handicraft industries, and will be given technical, material and financial support.

Funds to promote employment among handicapped people and to provide them with employment training and services will be part of the government budget, the regulation says.

Organizations providing employment services to the handicapped should offer free information, training and job introduction services and compile statistics.

Source: Xinhua