More than 5,000 pediatricians from all over the world are in the capital of China, a country with over 300 million children, to discuss children's health and protection of children's rights.

The 23rd International Congress of Pediatrics and the 2nd International Congress on Pediatric Nursing were kicked off Sunday night at the Beijing International Convention Center, with the theme "Children's Health in New Millennium."

In the next week, the pediatricians and experts of children's issues, who are from 99 nations and regions, will carry out academic exchanges in the field of pediatrics and pediatric nursing.

Other topics related to children's health and development, such as genetic disorders, human genome research, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, mental health, environment, and medical ethics, will also be covered in-depth, according to the Chinese Medical Association, organizer of the event.

Carol Bellamy, executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), said in a videotaped speech that the congress will help achieve UNICEF's goal to provide children around the world a healthy and complete life.

China's Health Minister Zhang Wenkang said the meeting provides an opportunity for not only academic exchanges of international experts, but also the development of China's medical care, disease control and health promotion for children.

The triennial congress is initiated by the International Pediatric Association, which currently has members from 136 nations and regions.