The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs estimates that there are at least 150,000 homeless children wandering the country's cities, most from underdeveloped rural areas, said Zhang Shifeng, Deputy Director, Ministry Social Welfare office.

"Most of these children are suffering from inadequate daily necessities and have no chance to receive normal education, which leaves a life-long negative impact on their physical and psychological health. Some of them even become criminals," Zhang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Poverty and a breakdown in the family structure are the two major contributing causes of the country's rise in homeless children, said UNICEF representative Dr Christian Frederic Voumard.

"Economic and social reform has indeed benefited many in China, but the human cost of such a rapid transformation has been increasing pressure on individuals and families � a growing migrant population, a higher divorce rate and a growing gap between poor and rich-- all of these are pushing our children from their families to the streets," he said.

Sending street children back home is the first choice of Chinese aid institutions. Those who can't find their homes or who are reluctant to go back home, are sent to child welfare houses, foster families or special protection centres where they receive special education and vocational training.

China opened its first pilot protection centre for street children in 1995.