The United Nations has declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Concern for the health and happiness of children ha s been reiterated all over the world. The Republic of China on Taiwan has sponsored a series of activities, including exhibitions of children's dance, painting, literature, music and play, sports meetings and seminars on children's health, libraries, recreation centers and hospitals have been specially established to ensure children lead a healthy and interesting life.
In the Republic of China, children make up 25 percent of the total population of 17 million people. Being the nation's most loved and prized possession, they are never allowed to suffer from malnutrition or other woes. In this issue, several aspects of children's life-health care, artistic activities, love for less privileged children, library for children and children's recreation-have been illustrated to show how the seedlings of Free China are brought up to be strong trees.