China launches spring break care programs for left-behind children

Several provinces in China have rolled out public spring break care initiatives to support left-behind and migrant children, offering structured activities, study tours and companionship during the holiday period.

In east China's Anhui Province, schools in Taihe County have opened classrooms, libraries and sports facilities to provide free on-campus care. Interest classes in basketball, football, roller skating and painting have been set up, while students joined study tours at the Northern Anhui Branch of the provincial agricultural academy to learn about modern farming technology.

"The agricultural technology knowledge and hands-on field experiences here are things we simply cannot access in our regular classroom lessons or textbooks," said Peng Lu, teacher at Jiefang Road Primary School, Taihe County.

In southwest China's Sichuan Province, 46 rural children service centers across 17 townships remained open during spring break. Volunteers organized handicrafts, collage art and outdoor games, serving more than 5,000 children. The centers are designed to ease childcare challenges for left-behind families.

In east China's Jiangsu Province, authorities in Jingjiang organized study tours for more than 80 children of migrant workers. Activities included visits to a Yangtze River shipbuilding base, where giant vessels were under construction, as well as a strawberry farm and Desheng Village, recognized as a "National Civilized Village." Children experienced fruit picking and rural revitalization firsthand.

Across Anhui, Sichuan and Jiangsu, local governments and volunteers are expanding spring break care programs to ensure left-behind and migrant children enjoy safe, meaningful holidays with access to education, recreation and companionship.

China launches spring break care programs for left-behind children

The White House Office of Management and Budget released its 2027 budget proposal on Friday, which would raise U.S. defense spending to 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars while reducing funding for domestic programs.

The budget plan "builds on the president's vision by continuing to constrain non-defense spending and reform the federal government," according to a document published on the White House website.

At a White House event on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the defense spending as a priority, noting that domestic responsibilities such as health care should be shifted to the states.

"We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care. You got to let a state take care of day care, and they should pay for it, too," Trump said.

Aside from cuts to health programs, the White House budget proposal also includes cuts to refugee resettlement aid, renewable energy projects, university grants and housing programs, among others.

The president's annual budget is often seen as a reflection of the administration's priorities, though Congress ultimately holds the authority over federal spending.

The release of the White House 2027 budget proposal came as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats pushing for immigration enforcement reforms that Republicans refuse to accept. This led to a partial government shutdown that has stretched on for nearly seven weeks.

White House seeks 1.5 trillion USD in defense spending in 2027 budget proposal