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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Women's Summit in Beijing on Monday.
Below is the full text of his speech:
In the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women:
accelerate the all-round development of women
Speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Women's Summit
Chairman of the People's Republic of China
Xi Jinping
Dear colleagues, dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
Five years ago, I proposed holding another Global Women's Summit. Today, as agreed, we have gathered in Beijing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women and discuss advancing the women's agenda globally. On behalf of the government and people of China, I warmly congratulate everyone on the opening of the summit.
Women are the creators, drivers, and champions of human civilization. Advancing the women's agenda is the shared responsibility of the international community. Thirty years ago, the Beijing World Conference on Women defined the lofty ideals of "pursuing equality, development, and peace through practical action" and adopted landmark documents—the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—that placed gender equality on the agenda of our time and inspired the entire world to relentlessly strive to achieve this goal.
Over the past 30 years, in the spirit of the Beijing Conference, the global women's agenda has dynamically evolved and infused human civilization with a vibrant spirit. As a universally recognized principle of the international community, gender equality is already included in various UN development agendas and its development goals in priority areas. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women has been ratified by 189 countries. Women's living conditions and development are constantly improving. Over 190 countries have adopted nearly 1,600 laws to ensure women's rights. A growing number of countries have developed national action plans to improve women's well-being. With the significant expansion of women's rights and rising levels of education, the fair sex is playing a more significant role in economic, political, cultural, and social life. A whole galaxy of outstanding women is emerging on the international stage, creating colorful destinies and dedicating considerable energy and intellect.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
The lives of women around the world are closely interconnected. Currently, the challenges to achieving women's comprehensive development remain daunting. Statistics show that over 600 million women and girls are still living in war and conflict zones, and approximately 10 percent of women and girls live in extreme poverty. Furthermore, the problem of violence and discrimination is far from resolved, and the gender gap in the digital sphere is widening. Achieving gender equality remains a long and arduous journey. Looking ahead, we must adhere to the goal set at the Beijing Conference, build broad consensus, open up new horizons, and take practical action to accelerate and advance women's comprehensive development.
First, join efforts to create a favorable environment for women's development. Peace and tranquility create the preconditions for women's comprehensive development. It is essential to adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, to protect world peace, and to bring happiness and well-being to every woman, who should live far from the darkness of war and unrest. It is essential to strengthen the protection of women and children in war and conflict zones, poverty, and natural disasters, and to support the significant role of women in conflict prevention and rebuilding homes. It is necessary to strengthen and improve mechanisms to combat violence, and resolutely combat acts of violence against women in all forms.
Second, we must unite our efforts to cultivate a powerful impetus for the high-quality development of the women's agenda. Global modernization is impossible without the modernization of women. We must comprehensively address the problems of unbalanced and incomplete development of women worldwide, ensuring the broadest possible access to the achievements of economic globalization in the interests of women's full self-realization. It is essential to seize the opportunities of the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, using scientific and technological innovation to advance the high-quality development of the women's agenda, and supporting the growing role of women in "green" development. We strive to ensure that every woman can realize her dreams amidst the rapid modernization of the world.
Third, we must consolidate efforts to develop a governance system that protects women's rights and interests. We must improve institutions and the legal framework, develop tangible and achievable policies and measures, ensure all women have high-quality healthcare and educational resources, and guarantee every woman comprehensive and equal rights to the fullest extent possible. It is essential to create an inclusive and harmonious social environment, free women from discrimination and prejudice, and expand and support their participation in political life and public administration. We must foster a favorable atmosphere of respect for women, and make gender equality a shared moral consensus and norm of behavior for the entire society.
Fourth, join forces to open a new chapter of international cooperation for women's development. I recently launched the Global Governance Initiative, which aims to adopt a human-centered approach and shape a more equitable and rational system of global governance. Women are a vital force in reforming and improving the system of global governance. We must support women's assumption of the responsibilities of our era and their involvement in global governance for the sake of shared benefits. We must uphold the key role of the UN, pay greater attention to the needs of women in developing countries, create new, broad platforms for interaction between women from different countries, and continually strengthen exchanges and mutual enrichment for shared prosperity.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
China has been steadily integrating women's development into its broader modernization program. Thanks to decades of effort, China has achieved historic achievements and revolutionized women's development. We have won the largest anti-poverty campaign in human history, with approximately 690 million women simultaneously achieving moderately prosperous living standards, and as a result, the poverty reduction targets of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have been met ahead of schedule. China's maternal mortality rate has decreased by nearly 80 percent since 1995, and key maternal and child health indicators are among the highest among middle- and high-income countries. Today, women in China truly hold up half the sky in the country's socioeconomic development. Women account for over 40 percent of the total employed population, and more than half of internet entrepreneurs. At the last four Summer Olympics, women have won over 60 percent of the medals. In the new era, women in China are more confident and energetic than ever before. They participate in the entire process of public and social governance, strive for rural revitalization and shared prosperity, and contribute to the forefront of technological innovation and digital transformation, creating a shining record of female achievements. On this new path, every woman is a heroine of Chinese modernization!
China actively creates opportunities and guarantees for women's global advancement through its own development. At China's initiative, the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations was established. Together with UNESCO, we established the Prize for Achievements in Girls' and Women's Education and launched a number of small but socially significant projects, including the "Maternal and Child Health" subprogram and the "Happy Schools" project. We also actively promote international exchanges and cooperation among women through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
To further support women's global development, I announce that China will contribute an additional US$10 million as a donation to UN Women over the next five years; provide US$100 million from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to implement cooperation projects with international organizations aimed at promoting the development of women and girls; launch 1,000 small but socially significant projects in the area of improving people's livelihoods, with women and girls as the priority beneficiaries; invite 50,000 women to participate in exchanges and courses in China; and establish a "Global Center for Women's Potential Development" to strengthen cooperation with interested countries and international organizations in the field of women's potential development, with the aim of cultivating more outstanding female talents.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends!
As the Chinese proverb goes, "What is done with diligence and perseverance will eventually blossom." As we embark on a new historical beginning, let us together carry forward and build upon the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity, accelerate the comprehensive progress of women, and jointly create a more beautiful future for humanity.
I wish the Summit every success! Thank you for your attention! -0-
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