China Hosts Pan-Asian Women's Forum to Mark 25th Yr of Cooperation

The Forum on Women Issues on Lancang-Mekong River Basin was launched on October 19 in Beijing International Convention Center. [Xinhua]

A special forum on cultural and social issues affecting women who live along the basin of the Lancang-Mekong River, which runs from southwest China to Vietnam, was held from October 19-22 in Beijing.

The forum was launched to coincide with the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It has gained support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China. .

Before the event, issues discussed by attendees were set to include: "Women and Social Governance", "Women's Economic Empowerment" and "Intangible Cultural Heritages Protection and Women’s Development."

Guests and specialists from China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam attended the launch ceremony, along with officials and organizers from the Song Ching Ling Foundation, the ASEAN Center of China, China Women’s University, and some 600 women leaders.

By strengthening ties between China and relevant NGOs, and maintaining peaceful, sustainable development across SE Asia, organizers hoped to further enrich international dialogue and cooperation, said officials.

Vice-chairperson of the Song Ching Ling Foundation Qi Mingqiu gave a speech at the gathering, and said that as a natural bond, the river itself cultivates a common culture for the six countries, which also enjoy their own unique features.

Enhancing cooperation among countries around the Lancang-Mekong River is a move taken in further response to President Xi’s recent remarks on building the China-Asia Community of Common Destiny, as well as a regional development scheme launched by China, added a spokesperson.

The director of China-ASEAN Comprehensive Coordination Department Huang Ying also delivered a speech at the event. She hoped that more foresight and practical experience on women’s development could be shared during the forum so as to benefit women’s development in the region.

(Source: xinhuanet/Translated and edited by Women of China)