SHANGHAI - A system to take homeless children off the streets and return them to their home communities is to be set up this year by city authorities.

"We will improve communication with the civil administrations where these children come from, invite them to take back the kids and provide assistance to send them home," said Ren Zhiyue, director of the social welfare division of Shanghai civil affairs bureau, on Wednesday.

This is Shanghai's latest attempt to deal with child beggars following another initiative in December. Eight government agencies, including civil affairs, public security and city management, are taking part in the campaign, which aims to have the streets clear of child beggars by the end of this year.