The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) held a thematic briefing on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the China National Museum of Women and Children, in Beijing, on November 18, 2022. Huang Xiaowei, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, delivered a speech.

The approximately 400 attendees included diplomats and diplomats' spouses from more than 60 embassies in China, representatives from more than 10 international organizations' agencies in China, women students from other countries, and women representatives from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as from China's Taiwan. They attended the event either online or in person. Foreign guests who visited the museum saw an exhibition highlighting the achievements reached in Chinese women and children's development in the new era, during the past 10 years.

Huang said the 20th CPC National Congress had comprehensively summarized the work of the Party during the past five years, and the great changes during the first decade of the new era. The congress noted historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country were made possible fundamentally because General Secretary Xi Jinping, as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, has steered a steady course at the helm, and because Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has provided scientific guidance.

The most important political achievement of the congress was the election of the CPC Central Committee's leadership, with Comrade Xi at its core. The congress drew a program of action for the CPC to rally and lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in building a modern socialist country, in all respects. The congress held dear humanity's shared values, fully proved China's determination to work with people from countries around the world to continue promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and working together to create a better future, Huang said.

The congress made new arrangements and raised new requirements for the work on women and children's issues and on family construction, which showed the great importance the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi at its core, has attached to women's undertakings and the cordial care given to millions of women, children and their families. It also revealed the fundamental guidance provided to advance high-quality development of women and children's undertakings in the new era. Huang noted the ACWF is willing to make efforts, with friends from various nations, to make new contributions to advance the development of women's undertakings worldwide.

Foreign guests were impressed by Chinese women and children's development during the past 10 years, as they viewed the exhibition. Many said they were glad the thematic briefing provided them with an opportunity to witness — through the exhibition — the outstanding, historic achievements China has reached under the leadership of President Xi. They expressed their wish to learn good practices from China, enhance mutual learning, and build and share a better future for women and for all. Four diplomats were interviewed during the event.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguay's Ambassador to China, said the congress was an excellent occasion to evaluate China's development over the past 10 years. He underlined the perspective of economic development, and said it was an important decade, not only for China, but also for the world. Women and children have had access to more rights. "The CPC's strong commitment to continue the opening-up and reform of China's economy is good news for the world," Lugris added, "Women leaders from Uruguay would like to come and learn from ACWF's work, and we are delighted to be here to foster our cooperation with the ACWF."

Maria Gustava, Mozambique's Ambassador to China, mentioned the broad view she had, during the briefing, about the decisions made during the 20th CPC National Congress, especially for the work related to women and children. She was delighted to see China established the legal system to protect the legal rights of women and children. She talked about education, which she believed is the basis for the development of society. China is embarking on a new era of modernization. The rejuvenation of this country will not only benefit its people, but will also give inspiration to other countries, by involving women in all aspects of the development of society, Gustava added.

Maja Stefanovic, Serbia's Ambassador to China, said she learned a lot about China's achievements, especially regarding the development of women and children, and noted the congress had written an important blueprint and guidelines for further development of the country and its women. "We, in Serbia, are fully convinced China will achieve the Second Centenary Goal. The CPC attaches great importance to women and children's development. Serbia and China have (formed) a comprehensive strategic partnership. We attach great importance to the enhancement of cooperation with China, in all respects. Serbia supports China's initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, which are important not only for China, but also for the world," Stefanovic said.

Zahra Jidda, President of the Group of African Ambassadors' Spouses (GAAS) and spouse of Nigeria's Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda, said the briefing enriched her understanding of China's policies to advance the development of women and children. She said she believed spouses of African ambassadors to China will take the good practices, which benefit women and children's development, back to their respective countries. "China's development is amazing," Zahra said, adding development with Chinese characteristics means China walks along a path based on progress of the country's conditions, its culture and its people.

(Source: Liaison Department of the ACWF/Women of China English Monthly)