Chinese women were urged by officials Thursday to unlock their spirits and play a more active role in the nation's economic development, political governance and cultural affairs.

State officials at the latest executive committee meeting of the All-China Women's Federation also called for more efforts to facilitate women's access to the job market and their business endeavors.

"We need to put the interests of women, including the grassroots members, onto centre stage and serve them with all our heart and soul," said Wang Zhaoguo, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Wang was speaking yesterday at the Fifth Conference of the Eighth Executive Committee of All-China Women's Federation, the largest women's organization in China.

Wang said one of the country's major missions is to encourage more women to participate in the nation's economic undertakings, to help strengthen their quality and capacity for business operation and employment.

Throwing the ball into the federation's court, Wang said that it can serve as a bridge connecting the nation's female populace with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government.

Wang added that branches of the federation across the nation should mobilize women to strive for the economic and social goals set by the 16th National Congress of the CPC.

"We will continue to increase and improve our services to women and to secure their interests in all fields," said Peng Peiyun, the federation's president.

(China Daily December 13, 2002)