Editor's Notes: It's hard to say whether this is the best time to be a child in China, as we celebrate Children's Day on June 1, especially after a string of school attacks recently that cut deep into people’s sense of security. In 1992, China ratified The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, but there seems to be a long way to go to meet the needs of children's health and to protect the full range of human rights for children. The following photos, all related to Chinese children, try to outline the big picture about growing up in China.
Safety:
The Education Ministry instructed schools to integrate safety awareness into the curriculum, teach children self-protection, hire security guards, install security facilities and make sure young students were escorted home.
 School safety |
 Self-protection |
 Combat lessons |
Fashion:
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 Explore creativity |
 Low-carbon life |
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 Fashion show |
 New dance |
 Xinjiang pupils |
Celebration:
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 Celebration |
 Visit Expo |
 Painting future |
Growing pains:
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 Young smokers |
 Military training |
 Calligraphy contest |
Care for disadvantaged groups:
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 Ethnic Yao pupils |
 Deaf-mute children |
 Children left behind |
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 Rural children |
 Disabled kids |
 Hospitalized pupils |
Moving stories:
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 Orphan's family |
 Live on donations |
 Two students |
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Chuanglian: I didn’t smoke yesterday, or today. I hope all kids live in clear air.