BEIJING — China established a national volunteers association to further help the disabled on May 20, according to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF).

A statement from the federation said the launch meeting approved the rules that will guide the association. The event also elected the first council of the association and its leadership.

Zhang Haidi, chairwoman of the CDPF, said the association would not only create a home for the volunteers working for the disabled persons, but also help spread the influence of the group.

Zhang urged the association to grow to be a credible organization and work for the disabled persons wholeheartedly.

Statistics from the federation showed China has about 85 million disabled people, accounting for about 6 percent of the total population.

In recent years, the government has stepped up its efforts to aid the physically disadvantaged.

The CDPF opened the 12385 hotline to provide consultation and guidance for disabled people earlier this month.

In April, Beijing announced it will add 800 more barrier-free cabs to its taxi fleet in 2015 to the existing 70 — a legacy from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.