"On the new journey of Chinese modernization, every woman is a star." Chinese President Xi Jinping made that comment as part of his keynote speech at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. Many of the women, and those who work in women's affairs, said Xi's speech was inspirational.
It was unanimously agreed Xi's keynote speech affirmed the historic achievements and transformations in the country's cause of promoting women's development. It was also agreed the speech demonstrated Xi's attention to and care for women's cause, and that it injected confidence and momentum into the new and accelerated process for women's all-round development. The women and those who work in women's affairs said they will follow the guiding principles outlined in Xi's speech, and they vowed to make contributions at work and contribute their strength for advancing Chinese modernization.
China Sets Example
Liu Liqun, President of China Women's University, was heartened by Xi's speech. "During the past few days, all of the university's teachers and students followed updates on the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. We felt President Xi devoted great care to women's cause," said Liu. "China has made outstanding progress in promoting gender equality and women's development. Women's lawful rights are better protected now. As an educator, I have witnessed remarkable improvements in women's educational level, and the due protection of women's right to education. This leaves me with a strong sense of responsibility."
Yang Xianxia, President of the Women's Federation of Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Guizhou Province, was impressed by Xi's speech. She especially appreciated it when Xi said, "We have won the largest battle against poverty in human history, and thereby brought moderate prosperity to 690 million women." Explains Yang: "China has made great achievements in women's cause, and this will inspire us, people who work in women's affairs, to advance the cause of women's development, to enable more women share in the fruits of Chinese modernization."
Xi also said in his speech, "We have joined the leading upper-middleincome countries in core indicators for maternal and child health" and, "(We need to) channel more quality health and educational resources to all women." Those comments left a deep impression on Maynur Niyaz, a Most Beautiful Woman Striver recipient and chief physician with People's Hospital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. "Progress in maternal and child health care were achieved, thanks to the great care from the Party (Communist Party of China), and the country," she concluded.
Chen Yujia, a rice grower in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, and a National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter, was motivated when Xi said, "Today, women in China truly 'hold up half the sky' in economic and social development." Said Chen: "I will lead women in learning new technologies, and in making achievements in the rural areas."
China Shoulders Responsibility
During his speech, Xi put forward four proposals, and several measures, to support global women's cause. In so doing, Xi demonstrated China's sense of duty as a responsible major country, which in turn made Chinese women, and those who work in women's affairs, feel proud.
"The proposals and measures will not only guarantee Chinese women's rights and interests, and their all-round development, but also guide the international community in advancing the spirit of the Fourth World Conference on Women, and in facing challenges together," said Li Yueyang, Director General of the Legal Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF). "We will take concrete actions to fully implement Xi's proposals, and we will make new contributions in safeguarding women's rights and interests, and in helping women live better lives."
Li Mingshun, Vice-President of China Association of Marriage and Family Studies, was impressed when Xi said, "We must promote an inclusive and harmonious social environment." Why? By making that statement, Li says Xi provided guidance for developing the governance framework required to protect women's rights and interests.
At Hebei Women's Vocational College, in North China's Hebei Province, the teachers and students studied Xi's speech. Many of those teachers and students had previously studied the white paper, "China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era." Ma Shiqi, Secretary of the college's Party Committee, said, "President Xi noted in his speech, 'We need to seize the opportunity of the new wave of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation.' This will provide more opportunities for women's vocational development, and it will promote social justice and sustainable development. The college will cultivate more women, across various fields, to better serve economic and social development."
New Chapter
Xi's speech inspired women to pursue their dreams, and to make progress on the new journey of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to advance Chinese modernization.
Wang Fuhua, a participant in the "Go West" program (endeavor that sends university graduates to perform volunteer work in the country's western regions), now works in Northwest China's Gansu Province. "President Xi said, 'We must support them (women) in assuming their historic responsibilities.' This is an affirmation of women's importance, and, more importantly, it carries expectations for us," Wang said. "As a teacher, I will help the children walk out of the mountains, and I will help cultivate more talents for our country."
Xi's speech motivated Tong Lili, president of a grassroots women's federation in East China's Jiangxi Province, to better fulfill her role. "As a women's federation employee, I will continue to organize vocational training for women, carry out women's volunteer services, and help more women participate in grassroots governance and realize their value," Tong said.
Liao Hong, a professor with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, in Southeast China's Fujian Province, has been leading a team in building an ecological tea plantation, in Fujian, to boost residents' incomes. "Xi's remarks, 'We need to support women in playing an even bigger role in green development' has made us more confident in pursuing further development. I will help more women farmers make contributions in promoting rural revitalization," she said.
Bai Xiang'en, China's first woman navigator to cross the Arctic Ocean, echoed Xi's comment, "(We need to) help them (women) shine in life and realize their dreams in this era of global modernization." Explains Bai: "I believe, with the development of women's cause, more and more women will 'take the helm' of their lives. We should remember President Xi's instructions, ride the waves and forge ahead to advance Chinese modernization."
Photos from VCG
(Source: Xinhua/Translated by Women of China)
Editor: Wang Shasha
