National Committee for the Protection of Children of China
| 中国人民保卫儿童全国委员会 | |
| Formation | November 26, 1951 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Soong Ching-ling (chairwoman) |
| Type | Mass organization |
| Headquarters | Beijing, People's Republic of China |
Chairwoman | Soong Ching-ling (1951–1981); Kang Keqing (1983– ) |
Parent organization | All-China Women's Federation (after 1960) |
The National Committee for the Protection of Children of China (Chinese: 中国人民保卫儿童全国委员会) was a national organization in the early years of the People's Republic of China, serving as a leading body for child-related work.[1]
History
At the Women's International Democratic Federation (WIDF) Council meeting in Berlin, from 31 January to 5 February 1950, a call was issued to strengthen and expand the movement for the protection of children. The resolution urged member states to establish broadly representative national committees, unite all those concerned with children's welfare, oppose imperialist wars, and promote lasting world peace.[2] By November 1951, countries such as France, Italy, Tunisia, Belgium, Iran, and Vietnam had established national child protection committees.[3]
On 26 November 1951, in response to the WIDF call, the National Committee for the Protection of Children of China was founded in Beijing. Over seventy representatives from women's, youth, trade union, welfare, religious groups, and ethnic minority organizations attended the inaugural meeting.[4] Soong Ching-ling was elected chairwoman; Deng Yingchao, Li Siguang, Li Dequan, Liao Chengzhi, Fu Lianzhao, and Wei Que were elected vice-chairpersons; Kang Keqing was appointed secretary-general.[5] The committee comprised 98 members from 22 national-level departments and mass organizations, as well as individuals active in children's welfare.[6]
The founding meeting adopted a declaration with four key principles:[3]
- Unite mothers, youth, educators, scientists, writers, medical workers, child welfare workers, religious figures, and all those who care about children, to oppose aggressive war, defend peace, and promote child welfare.
- Publicize the importance of child welfare and call on the whole nation to pay attention to children's rights.
- Support and implement the WIDF resolutions on strengthening the protection of children.
- Welcome peace-loving and democratic people in Asia and around the world to work together for children's happiness.
In 1960, during the period of economic hardship, the committee was dissolved as part of national streamlining efforts, and its functions were absorbed into the All-China Women's Federation.[7][8]
After the end of the Cultural Revolution, the committee was reactivated. On 29 March 1979, a plenary meeting in Beijing reaffirmed its mission and endorsed the United Nations resolution on the International Year of the Child. Soong Ching-ling, then Honorary Chairwoman of the ACWF and Vice Chairwoman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, resumed the position of chairwoman. Vice-chairpersons included Liao Chengzhi, Shi Liang, Kang Keqing, Cui Yueli, Zhu Futang, Dong Chuncai, and Yang Yunyu.[9]
In May 1979, the Committee co-sponsored national activities for International Children's Day, and jointly launched the second nationwide awards for children's literature and art creation since 1949.[10]
On 6 January 1983, the Committee held its annual meeting at the Great Hall of the People. Kang Keqing, then chairwoman of the ACWF, was elected chairwoman of the committee, succeeding the late Soong Ching-ling. New vice-chairpersons included pediatrician Zhu Futang, Education Vice Minister Zhang Wensong, Health Vice Minister Wang Wei, ACWF Vice Chairwoman Huang Ganying, and UNESCO China National Committee Deputy Director Yang Yunyu.[11]
No further annual meetings were reported after 1983.
References
- ^ 張蓬舟; 張儀鄭 (1952). 人民手册 (in Chinese). Da gong bao. p. 260. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ 宋庆龄纪念集 (in Chinese). 人民出版社. 1982. p. 84. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ a b "1951年11月26日，中国人民保卫儿童全国委员会成立，宋庆龄任主席". 北京数字博物馆. 2009-11-23. Archived from the original on 2019-09-15.
- ^ 中华人民共和国国史全鉴, 1949-1995 (in Chinese). 团结出版社. 1996. p. 677. ISBN 978-7-80061-610-5. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ 中华人民共和国国史全鉴: 社会卷 (in Chinese). Central Literature Publishing House. 2005. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ Lamb, Malcolm (2003). Directory of Officials and Organizations in China. M.E. Sharpe. p. 1266. ISBN 978-0-7656-1020-1. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ 王振川 主编 (2015年). 中国改革开放新时期年鉴1979年. 中国民主法制出版社.
中国人民保卫儿童全国委员会在人民大会堂举行全体会议
- ^ 張蓬舟; 張儀鄭 (1979). 人民手册 (in Chinese). 大公報. p. 364. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ "中国青年工作大事记(1970年--1979年)". 搜狐. 2008-06-07. Archived from the original on 2019-01-23.
- ^ "中国当代文学大事记：1979年". 中国作家网. 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2019-01-23.
- ^ 王振川 主编 (2015年). 中国改革开放新时期年鉴1983年. 中国民主法制出版社.
中国人民保卫儿童全国委员会在人民大会堂举行年会