China's largest women's organization, the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), hosted a reception at the Great Hall of the People Thursday to mark the 92nd anniversary of International Women's Day.
At the reception which was attended by over 1,500 Chinese and foreign women delegates, Peng Peiyun, vice chairwoman of the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee and president of ACWF, extended warm greetings to "all sisters and friends" around the world on behalf of the Chinese government and the ACWF.
Peng noted that in the cause of women and children in China, the targets set out in the National Program for the Development of Chinese Women (1995-2000) and in the National Program for the Development of Children in the 1990s have been met. New programs for women and children have been promulgated and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has also amended the marriage laws.
She said over the past year, the ACWF has conducted more than 130 exchange visits with women and women's organization from other countries, and has successfully held APEC Women Leaders Network Meeting.
Peng said 2002 is significant in the history of the Chinese Communist Party and the country. The ACWF will continue the program for women and children from 2001 to 2010, mobilize Chinese women to participate in the reform and opening up drive, and further cooperation with women of the other countries and organizations.
(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2002)
