Although the standard of living in China has risen over the past 30 years, there are widening gaps between rich and poor, and urban and rural areas. Two-thirds of China’s 367 million children live in rural areas. Many of them, especially those from minority ethnic groups, live in remote areas and lack access to good quality health services and education. This briefing reviews some examples of Save the Children's work in the areas of child health and access to education, and the disaster relief efforts set in motion to help children and families recover from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.