BEIJING, May 12 -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with the head of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Anthony Lake on Monday on strengthening China-UNICEF relations.

Speaking highly of the active role UNICEF has played in boosting China's causes concerning women and children, Liu said the country is willing to further step up its cooperation with UNICEF, and share experience on child development with other countries.

Lake, who was reappointed UNICEF's executive director on May 2, hailed China's achievements on the development of women and children, saying that UNICEF would like to further cooperate with China.

Lake is the sixth executive director of UNICEF since May 1, 2010. He started his career in 1962 when he joined the U.S. State Department as a foreign service officer. He has worked on several presidential campaigns and was former President Bill Clinton's national security adviser.