China has started an educational project to provide financial help and professional training for students from poor families who excel in the arts.

The "Sunglow Project," which was initiated by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), will take care of school expenses and art training for 2,000 7-15 year-old pupils, who are good at literature and art in the 11 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China's vast western area.

"Each of them will receive 6,000 yuan (US$723) a year, " an official with the CFLAC said, adding that the students will also have opportunities to attend free professional training programs in relevant fields.

So far, some 905 such pupils have got help from the project, which has received an abundance of funds from many veteran artists, art troupes and governmental departments across the country.