The China-Central Asia Women's Development Forum is held in Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu Province, on October 16, 2021. [Photo/womenofchina.cn]  

The China-Central Asia Women's Development Forum, with the theme "Harnessing Women's Power for the Belt and Road Initiative," was held in Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu Province, on October 16, 2021. Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and President of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (GNFCC SCO), attended and delivered a speech.

Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the All-China Women's Federation and President of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, delivers a speech at the China-Central Asia Women's Development Forum. [Photo/womenofchina.cn]

Shen said this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC has always regarded women as an important force in the advancement of social progress, has always considered women's undertakings as an important component of the undertakings of the Party and the people, and has always attached importance to women's work. Since the 18th CPC National Congress (held in 2012), in particular, Chinese women have made historic achievements. Today, it is clearer that Chinese women have gained the status of being heroines of their country; Chinese women give full play to their roles as "half the sky;" the protection of women's rights and interests has been significantly improved; women are feeling a greater sense of gain, happiness and security; and women are marching toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects, Shen explained.

At present, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is still ravaging the globe, changes are taking place deeply in society, the world is entering a new period full of uncertainties, and women are encountering new challenges and opportunities in their progress. Shen said forum participants focused on discussing women's development and the forum offered a significant opportunity for them to exchange views on women's poverty reduction, education and employment.

China and countries in Central Asia are good partners and friends sharing a common future. Facing the great changes in a century and to deal with the impact caused by COVID-19, Shen said cooperation and development need to be enhanced under strategic guidance given by Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of various states. She also called for joint efforts to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and the building of a world without discrimination against women.

Shen proposed to continue united efforts in anti-epidemic fight; discuss together the methods for development and revitalization; stick to mutually beneficial and win-win concept in promoting women's development in accordance with economic and social progress; enhance people-to-people connectivity; strengthen the connection between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and BRI countries' development strategies; and push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Women ministers from five Central Asian countries and three countries in the Outer-Caucasus region, leaders of women's organizations in those countries, diplomats in China and leaders of the SCO Secretariat attended the forum — either online or in person. They shared information and practices on women's poverty reduction, education, employment and overall development. The participants agreed on the basis of BRI that women's exchanges and cooperation will be deepened, practical measures will be taken to help women reduce poverty, win-win development will be achieved, and women will have a promising future in the progress of their undertakings.

Ren Zhenhe, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Provincial Committee of Gansu and Governor of Gansu Province, addressed the forum. Xia Jie, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, presided over the forum. More than 200 participants attended, including Li Hui, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, Cui Li, Vice-President of the GNFCC SCO, Chen Kegong, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of Gansu Provincial People's Congress, and women from all walks of life.

The China-Central Asia Women's Development Forum was an important event under the framework of the Eighth China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum. The women's forum was sponsored by Gansu Women's Federation under the guidance of the ACWF and the GNFCC SCO and was hosted virtually by Lanzhou Women's Federation.

Participants share information and practices on women's poverty reduction, education, employment and overall development via video link at the forum. [Photo/womenofchina.cn]