Raising new hope for children

Children from different countries gathered yesterday at the former home of Madame Soong Ching Ling in Beijing to help raise money for earthquake-affected children.

The children danced and sang, and Beijing's corporate world came to the party donating substantial funds. And 1,300 university students in Sichuan will be given scholarships this year, thanks to the efforts of the charity day.

Soong (1893-1981), the wife of Dr Sun Yet-sen, founder of modern China, was renowned for helping children. China Daily joined her charity group in a fund-raising drive to help Sichuan youngsters.