The Chinese government will spend 100 million yuan in 2000 and 2001 to help 378 counties in western China reduce mortality rates of pregnant women and eliminate lockjaw among newly born babies.

This was announced today by Liu Qibao, deputy director of the Women and Children Working Committee of the State Council, at a conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, the Women and Children Working Committee of the State Council and the Ministry of Finance.

Liu said local governments will spend another 100 million yuan for the same purpose. All the funds will be used in areas including Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, and Chongqing Municipality.

China has planned to reduce the mortality rate of pregnant women to half of that in 1990.