State-owned China Southern Airlines helicopter used in rescue effort during 2008 earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province. China Southern Airlines helicopters carried out 46 rescue missions. The state-owned firm also provided 245 of its best aircraft to undertake 491 rescue and relief flights in response to the earthquake. Later the socialistic enterprise provided 500 million yuan ($A75 million) for the construction of a primary school for children orphaned in the earthquake and for disaster assistance for widowed old people and disabled persons.