Chinese actress Ma Yili visits Liping County of Guizhou province to learn about integrated approaches to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Early Childhood Development (ECD) project for children 0-3. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Ma made the field trip in September, which was her first after her appointment as UNICEF Ambassador for China.

"I was so impressed by these active young children. They were so engaged, stimulated and thriving," she told a press conference held in the UNICEF China office in Beijing. "As a mother, I realize how important it is for parents and communities to learn about ECD. Children need good nutrition, healthcare, stimulation, responsive caring and a safe environment starting from the earliest period of their lives."

Ma visited the local health clinic in Huanggang village of Liping county, where families with young children have received primary healthcare services including child growth monitoring, development screening, counseling and nutritional intervention.

"In the village, I met a few mothers breastfeeding their babies. I was so happy to see that breastfeeding is a popular practice in rural areas. Some of the babies are more than one or two years of age."