12/04/2016 Newsround

Good morning and welcome to a special Newsround.

Imagine a country where it's normal for children grow up a long

way from their parents.

That's what's happening right now in China, where millions of children

live apart from their mums and dads.

On Newsround today we've got a special report on why it happens,

and we'll be meeting one boy to find out what it's like

to be one of these left behind children.

Take a look.

In China, not that long ago, most people lived in the countryside,

looking after their animals and growing their own food.

Life was hard.

And people were poor.

And then, everything started to change.

Factories sprang up to make things that people all over

the world wanted to buy.

And suddenly, millions of people were on the move from

the countryside to huge new cities.

Where they could get money by working in the factories.

But when the adults moved away, they were not allowed

to take their children with them.

Millions of them were left behind in the countryside.

They are now known as the left behind children.

This is the story of one of them.

My name is Tang Yuan and I am 11 years old.

I live here with my grandmother, my brother and two cousins.

My parents don't live here.

They work in another city called Chengdu.

They both work in factories making clothes.

My parents don't earn much, and they don't get to

spend much time with us.

But thanks to their hard work, we are not down and out.

When Mum and Dad come back to visit, I run to meet them.

I run a very long way, because I can't wait

to be close to them.

What I love most is to go fishing with them.

On my own, I can only catch one or two fish.

Three at most.

But when Mum and Dad are here, we catch lots of fish.

During Chinese New Year, Mum and Dad visit for longer.

We set off fireworks to celebrate.

They start off small with not much light,

but then they fly high into the sky and explode suddenly.

They are bright and colourful and very beautiful.

It's not easy for Mum and Dad to come back to visit us.

They can only stay for a few days before they have to leave again.

I wish they could take me with them.

I don't want to be separated from them.

I know it's hard for Mum and Dad to earn money.

I don't want to cause trouble for them, but I miss them so much.

It's very painful, but I can't do anything about it because I don't

want to bother them.

If I call them, I will disturb them.

I can't do anything but wait.

I really want them to come back.

When I grow up, I want to leave here.

This is my home, I want to do something big.

I'd like to be a boss, run a factory.

And I'll take my kids to my workplace so we can stay together.

That's all from me, Newsround's back right here in about half an hour.

Don't forget to check out the website for all the rest

of the day's stories.