By Luo Jiajia (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-05 09:30

Wang also urged local governments to give universities special rates for water and electricity to help them cut costs.

Meanwhile, the government is currently providing direct subsidies for needy students who comprise 14 percent of the total student population.

In Xiamen, Fujian Province, for instance, selected students receive 14 yuan per month from the local government, while their peers in Hunan Province get a one-time 100-yuan subsidy from the provincial government.

In addition, the Ministry of Education has promised there will be no increase in tuition fees.

Students themselves are also looking for ways to make ends meet. Rather than eat at the university canteen, Wei Lisha, a Nankai University student, said she prefers to cook for herself.

"Some of my roommates and I have bought stoves this semester," Wei said.

She said they usually eat huoguo (hotpot) made from vegetables, meat and noodles.

"This nutritious meal costs us only 3-4 yuan each, which is much less than a standard meal from the canteen," Wei said.

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