With the music of “what a beautiful jasmine”, the 2007 “Embracing China, Feeling Beijing” summer camp formally opened.

The director-general of CCAA, Mr. Lu Ying, made an introduction of this summer camp which will last for 10 days. The CCAA will make arrangements for the children to visit the office of CCAA and Tianjin Children’s Welfare Institute and get to know the working procedure of inter-country adoption in China and the living situation of children in the institutes. They will also learn Chinese history, culture and art, visit scenic spots and historical sites and Olympic Venues in Beijing and have a contact in body with the rich and time-honoured Chinese culture and the developmental status of modern society of China. What’s more, each of them will have one day with a common local Beijing family and get a real idea of their daily life.

The vice minister of civil affairs, Mr. Dou Yupei, greeted the children who travelled from afar to attend this summer camp with his warmest welcome in the opening ceremony. He said, “Now, you are growing up with meticulous nurture of your adoptive parents, and even travel back to China to search for your root with their support. It is approved that they are broad-minded and you have not easily parted feeling with your motherland.”

Vice Consul,the Embassy of the United States of America,Ms.Marilyn Gayton said excitedly,they are successful, accomplished, talented, and loved children who have found homes and their own unique place in a family, but who also have an interest and a bond with the country of birth.

The director of Adoption Agency Services in NCFA, Mr. Charles Johnson said, “In a time when the foes of intercountry adoption like to highlight the negative experience of a few, I submit to you that these 30 Chinese-born children who are living in America are the true face of intercountry adoption. They are always cared and loved. ”

With our longings, 30 lovely children arrived in China, in Beijing and in the CCAA. Kily Wong and Natalie Cecere, as representatives of all the children, expressed their inner voice: “We are all connected by China. Our parents taught us to be proud of our birth country. They also taught us things about Chinese heritage.”

Followed by the head of the camp, children shouted loudly the motto of the camp “Unite, Love, Keep fit, Enjoy”. The opening ceremony was full of happy and auspicious atmosphere.