Wuxi charity event fosters support for autistic children

Fang Danqiong (center), host of the event, recites poetry with volunteers at the charity event on April 2. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

A charity event for autistic children took place in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on April 2.

The event, held every year on World Autism Awareness Day, aims to increase understanding and foster support for children living with autism as well as their families.

A series of activities were held at the event, including poetry recitation, an erhu (a bowed two-stringed instrument) performance and interviews.

The host interviews Ge Ya (right), a mother of an autistic child, at the charity event on April 2. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

According to incomplete statistics, the number of autistic people in China exceeds 10 million, including more than 2 million children under the age of 14.

Autism in China is becoming increasingly common, with more than 100,000 autistic children being born every year.

"We want to build social connections between families with autistic children and the outside world, to help them live a normal life and ease the burden on their parents, especially the mothers," said Deng Lijie, director of the children's work department at the Wuxi Women's Federation.

A special foundation for mothers of autistic children was set up during the event by the Wuxi municipal Party committee and the Wuxi Women's Federation.

A special foundation for mothers of autistic children is set up during the charity event on April 2. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]