The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) held a reception on August 9 in central Beijing to present awards to its supporting partners, including the Chinese government, the Hong Kong committee for UNICEF, and to goodwill ambassadors, and social celebrities who have supported the organization's efforts to help children all over the world.

Kungfu superstar Jackie Chan talking to children from quake-hit Sichuan Province at a Beijing reception held by UNICEF on Saturday August 9. [Zhang Yunxing/China.org.cn]

"This event, Champions for Children, has two purposes; the first is advocacy for vulnerable children in China, and the second is to extend our appreciation to all UNICEF's partners," said Dr. YinYin Nwe, UNICEF representative for China.

UNICEF held a special reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in central Beijing on Saturday night to present awards to its supporting partners, goodwill ambassadors and celebrities who support UNICEF's efforts to help children all over the world. [Zhang Yunxing/China.org.cn]

Nwe said UNICEF's work in China began in the period from 1947 to 1951, when it delivered assistance to children during the Liberation War. Over the past three decades, China has achieved remarkable progress for children. UNICEF has been a close partner in this process, working with the government on issues like immunization, basic education, and more recently on HIV AIDS and child protection.

After the May 12th earthquake, UNICEF rushed to help the children of Sichuan Province. Donations and supplies by the UNCEF arrived at the area shortly after the earthquake. During Saturday's reception, several children who survived the earthquake told the guests about their experience. They expressed their thanks to UNICEF and all the people caring for them and helping them.