About 83 million people with disabilities in China

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-01-2006 13:31

China has finished the second survey of the nation's disabled population. And according to the results, there are about 83 million people with disabilities in the country.

For more than two decades, the Chinese government has taken a series of major political, economic, legal and administrative measures to ensure the protection of the rights of disabled persons and the improvement of their living conditions. The Second National Sample Survey on Disability has been another concrete move by the government to build its vision of a socialist, harmonious society.

Eight months ago, 79-year-old Zhang Chenguang was among the first to be visited as part of the survey. He was disabled during China's resistance against Japanese aggression 60 years ago.

He is just one of the 2.5 million disabled, who were surveyed during a two month national investigation.

The government released the results on Friday morning.

Deng Pufang, Chairman China Disabled Person's Fed'n, said, "It is estimated that the number of disabled people, with different types of disability, on the Chinese mainland is 82.96 million. This represents 6.34 percent of the total population of the country."

The survey covered six categories, including visual, hearing, speech or physical disabilities, and mental illness.

The survey updates data relating to the population, like geographical distribution and causes of disability, among others.

The survey shows that the living, rehabilitation and employment conditions of the disabled have greatly improved, since the first national survey some 20 years ago.

However, the results also indicate that, in the accelerated process of industrialization and urbanization, the risk of being disabled has risen. It's being driven by faster working lives, increased manufacturing accidents, as well as growing traffic and environmental pollution.

Editor:Du Xiaodan