During China's Spring Festival holiday, which runs from Feb. 6
to 12 this year, about 12,000 university students in Beijing will
not return home for various reasons, and they will get government
subsidies and part-time jobs, local media reported.
About 300 students were stranded by the bad weather in their
hometowns, and they have priority on the government's assistance
list.
About 2.3 million yuan (about 328,571 U.S. dollars) in subsidies
were extended by the city government to the stay-behinds, twice the
money given last year. Also, 1,200 part-time paid jobs were
offered.
In addition, universities provided services to these students,
such as holding parties and opening libraries and gyms for
them.
(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2008)