Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
On October 13, 2025, the Global Women's Summit opened in Beijing, marking a new milestone in advancing the women's agenda on the international stage. An inspiring message delivered from the stage of the Beijing National Convention Center united more than 150 countries and international organizations around a single idea: to accelerate the comprehensive development of women in the new century and to reinforce the spirit of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women. The highlight of the ceremony was Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech, in which he outlined China's strategic vision for global women's equality, sustainable development, and human progress.
"Women are the creators, drivers, and champions of human civilization," Xi Jinping emphasized at the opening of the summit. These words became a leitmotif of the forum, which is taking place in the year marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—the documents that laid the foundation for the global struggle for equality, development, and peace. Over three decades, the idea of gender equality has evolved from a local initiative into a universally accepted principle of the international community. Today, 189 countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and more than 190 states have nearly 1,600 laws in force to ensure women's rights. However, despite this progress, the world remains faced with serious challenges. More than 600 million women and girls live in war and conflict zones, and approximately 10 percent live in extreme poverty. The gender gap in the digital sphere is widening, and violence and discrimination remain.
In this context, Xi Jinping called on the international community to join forces and act decisively to ensure women's comprehensive development and equal opportunities. He emphasized that peace and security are the foundation of women's well-being, without which the full development of society is impossible. China calls on the international community to strengthen mechanisms for the protection of women and children in conflict and disaster zones, resolutely combat violence and discrimination, and support the significant role of women in conflict prevention and the reconstruction of homes and communities.
According to the Chinese leader, the modernization of humanity is impossible without the modernization of women. Women must be involved in the technological revolution, the digital economy, and green development, so that everyone can realize their dreams in an era of global transformation. He also emphasized the importance of improving the legal framework, expanding women's access to education and healthcare, and creating a harmonious social environment free of prejudice and discrimination, where gender equality becomes a norm of public morality and the natural behavior of every citizen.
Xi Jinping called for a new chapter in international cooperation on women's development, noting that women are a vital force in reforming and improving the global governance system. China intends to continue to support the UN's key role, paying particular attention to the needs of women in developing countries and creating new and broad platforms for exchange and learning for women from around the world.
The white paper "China's Achievements in Comprehensive Development of Women's Affairs in the New Era," published on the eve of the summit, was a logical addition to this agenda. The document emphasizes that Chinese women are not simply participants, but active creators of the country's modernization. Today, their share of the total labor force exceeds 40 percent, and among internet entrepreneurs, they constitute more than half. Women actively participate in national governance, contributing to rural revitalization, digital transformation, and innovative industries. Over the past decades, the maternal mortality rate in China has decreased by nearly 80 percent, and more than 690 million women have been lifted out of poverty, an unprecedented achievement in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
China systematically integrates women's development into national strategies. Women are playing an increasingly prominent role in environmental protection, preserving cultural heritage, promoting traditional culture, and creating a new social model based on participation and shared interests. Particular attention is paid to supporting grassroots women's organizations, which are becoming a vital force in public governance and the creation of a harmonious society.
Internationally, China not only inspires by example but also shares its resources and experience. Over the next five years, the country will contribute $10 million to UN Women, provide $100 million from the Global Development Fund and South-South Cooperation for projects aimed at the development of women and girls, launch 1,000 "small but significant" social programs with women as a priority, invite 50,000 women to study and exchange programs in China, and establish the Global Women's Empowerment Center—a new international platform for developing women leaders and next-generation professionals.
The Beijing summit became not only a space for political statements but also a living gallery of stories illustrating the strength and inspiration of women's achievements. In Chengdu, China, British woman Rachel Grace Pinninger has been helping people with disabilities and low-income communities gain self-confidence through handicrafts for over a decade. In Congo, Shanghai-educated entrepreneur Tisya Mukuna has revived the coffee industry, becoming a symbol of Africa's economic awakening. And in the Gaza Strip, despite the horrors of war, doctor Somaya Shomer continues to deliver babies in a field hospital, insisting that life is stronger than death. These stories, intersecting across continents, embody the meaning of the global women's agenda promoted by China: courage, creativity, and faith in the future.
As Xi Jinping noted, standing at a new historical starting point, humanity must convey and build on the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, move toward building a community with a shared future for humanity, and jointly create a more beautiful future. A Chinese proverb says, "What is done with diligence and perseverance will eventually blossom." These words became the symbol of the summit, demonstrating that the comprehensive development of women is not just a part of social policy, but a crucial element of global modernization. Beijing reaffirmed its role as a global center for dialogue on a future in which women do not stand aside but confidently hold up half the sky.
Author: Anushervon Rasulov
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.