A foundation created by Chinese pop diva Faye Wong and her film star husband Li Yapeng was launched in Beijing Tuesday to help children born with cleft palates.

Yian Ran Angel Foundation, named for Li's daughter, will help children under 14 years old born with the condition. The foundation was launched after Wong and Li's five-month-old daughter Li Yian recovered from plastic surgery for her cleft palate.

The couple donated one million yuan (US$125,000) to start the foundation in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) and donations to the cause will be actively sought and encouraged.

According to the RCSC, guardians of children that meet the foundation's criteria can apply to the foundation for assistance. Potential applicants can obtain information online at the RCSC website www.chineseredcross.org.cn or from www.99et.org.

Hare-lips, which are often associated with cleft palates, are a common congenital malformation. Government statistics show that China has 2.4 million children born with cleft palates.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)