Nuclear firm organizes summer camps for children in Ningxia, Chongqing

China National Nuclear Corporation, one of the country's largest nuclear companies, is to organize summer camps for students from Tongxin County in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Shizhu County in Chongqing to improve their knowledge of all things nuclear.

In one of the poorest counties in the country - Shizhu - CNNC has invested 3.25 million yuan ($472,700) supporting 20 education projects, including building seven schools.

Corporation volunteers have visited more than 20 rural schools so far, organizing over lectures and helping build a bookstore to spread the knowledge of nuclear science. The volunteers have also donated tens of thousands of books, stationery items and clothes for students in the poverty-stricken regions.

The academic record in rural schools has substantially improved in the past nine years, and the scientific knowledge imparted by CNNC has broadened the students' horizons, providing opportunities for them to learn more outside their villages.

The corporation has also subsidized 245 impoverished students to help them realize their college dreams.

To further alleviate poverty and help poorer students, CNNC has been fundraising this year, and plans to use the cash to help 600 poor students from Tongxin County and Shizhu County.

CNNC has supported more than 50 anti-poverty projects with a total investment of 12.95 million yuan in the past 20 years, with an emphasis on education aid and industrial cultivation. It has sent more than 400 staff to organize training programs, helping villagers gain professional skills.

CNNC has been involved in alleviating poverty in Shizhu County since 2001. The economic and social landscape of Shizhu has undergone profound changes in recent years and living standards have significantly improved.

In 2015, the county's GDP reached 12.92 billion yuan, up by 61 percent compared with 2010, and the county's poor population has decreased from 66,000 in 2010 to 32,000 now.

CNNC has invested 1.8 million yuan in Tongxin county, which, it is hoped, will have lifted the region out of poverty by 2018, said the group.

Li Rui, vice chairman of the Ningxia autonomous region, said the region's education situation has greatly improved in recent years and he hoped CNNC would further offer help in industrial development and healthcare.

Xu He contributed to this story.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn