Chinese pianist Lang Lang (R) shakes hands with UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy at the UNICEF headquarters in New York May 20, 2004. The 22-year-old pianist was named UNICEF's goodwill ambassador on Thursday. He will focus on child survival and immunization issues in his voluntary work. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang (R) performs together with two children at the UNICEF headquarters in New York May 20, 2004. The 22-year-old pianist was named UNICEF's goodwill ambassador on Thursday. He will focus on child survival and immunization issues in his voluntary work. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang gives a short speech at the UNICEF headquarters in New York May 20, 2004. The 22-year-old pianist was named UNICEF's goodwill ambassador on Thursday. He will focus on child survival and immunization issues in his voluntary work. (Xinhua Photo)

    UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang was on Thursday appointed Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), who will focus on child survivaland immunization issues in his voluntary work.

    "We are thrilled that Lang lang will devote his time and talents to improving the lives of children who live far from the concert halls of the world's capitals," UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said at a ceremony at the UNICEF House in New York.

    "Lang Lang has been an amazing ambassador for classical music, and I have no doubt that he will be an extraordinary ambassador for children as well."

    He joined a long list of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors who travelthe world on behalf of children, including American actor Harry Belafonte and Hong Kong movie stars Jackie Chan and Leon Lai.

    "I am honored to be taking my place among such renowned champions for children, and I am excited to begin doing what I canto help bring the world's attention to the pressing needs of children," said Lang Lang.

    Lang Lang, 21, has played with all the major American orchestras and was the first Chinese pianists to be engaged by theBerlin Philharmonic. Enditem