Alhui Town-head from Oroqen Ethnic Group

Alhui, a deputy of the 10th National People's Congress from the Orqen ethnic group in Inner Mongolia said, "It is not only that I am proud to be here but so is the Orqen group, especially the Orqen women."

"I can exchange views with other deputies while celebrating Women's Day," she said. Alhui values that women deputies at the NPC are some of the most determined women in China today.

Hu Qiheng Academic from the Chinese Academy of Engineering

Hu Qiheng, 50, is one of the few women academics from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and is also vice chairwoman of the China Association for Science and Technology. This is the third time attending the CPPCC annual gathering for Hu and also the third time celebrating Women's Day there. She said, "This is our day. We should celebrate it no matter how busy it is!"

Dou Xiaoyu Assistant to the GM of China Aerospace Architectural Design Institute

Dou Xiaoyu is a member of the CPPCC and Assistant to the General Manager of the China Aerospace Architectural Design Institute (Group). At 35, this successful constructive engineer is due to have a baby soon.

"This is the first time I have celebrated Women's Day during a CPPCC session. I am very excited but not so much that I couldn't rest," said the expectant mother.

Dilnar Abdullah Chairwoman of Xinjiang Dancer's Association

Dilnar Abdullah was a deputy at the 9th NPC and returns again for the 10th NPC. As chairwoman of the Xinjiang Dancer's Association and an enthusiastic supporter of International Women's Day, she would often invite other women to join her in a celebration of the event. This year though she says she simply doesn't have the time.

"I felt that at the last session my time was limited so this year I decided to concentrate on my work. Every deputy, especially women deputies, are busy reading newspapers, writing bills and proposals. I feel a lot of pressure on me this time round as it is a significant time in China's future development. Actually, with all his responsibility, I nearly forgot to celebrate International Women's Day," said a jubilant Dilnar.

Naranhowar Deputy from the Heilongjiang Delegation

Naranhowar, 27, from Duerbote Autonomous Group, is the youngest of the deputies from the Heilongjiang delegation at the First Session of the 10th NPC this year.

"I feel great pressure because I am so young," she said, "But I have been thinking about my proposals and I have finally decided to put forward a bill on how to develop the local economy of the border areas, impoverished areas and ethnic group areas," she said in a confident manner.

Dressed in traditional Mongolian garments, Naran enjoyed herself on Women's Day with the other deputies.

Liu Chongming Tianjin Bank President

Liu Chongming is president of the Tianjin branch of the People's Bank of China and is attending a party for Women's Day at the Fragrant Hills Mountain site in Beijing, held by the Finance Press. This is her first NPC congress.

"The duty of the NPC deputy is to fully convey the wishes of the people in state policies," she said.

Xiu Ruijuan Scientist

Xiu Ruijuan has been a member of the CPPCC since the 6th session and is an academic from the Peking Union Medical College in Beijing. She studied in America, Sweden and the former Soviet Union and speaks English fluently. She has made some great achievements in the field of microcirculation. After returning to China in 1983 from America, she set up a micro circulation research center with the support of the central government. Currently she has applied for two world-level patents and is in the middle of some other cutting-edge research projects.

"China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Plaza (CECC Plaza) arranged an evening party on Women's day and we danced and sang songs. The atmosphere of the party was very moving."

Nari Chime-tsepak Director of Women's Federation in Qamdo

"I am very happy to celebrate Women's Day with so many members of the CPPCC for the very first time in Beijing for me," said Nari Chime-tsepak, director of the Women's Federation at Qamdo, Tibet Autonomous Region. Nari cares very much for the development of pasture land in her area and also for educational matters in the countryside. She is bringing four proposals to the CPPCC this time. For women members there was a half-day on March 8 and she spent the time in market places in Beijing.

"I couldn't see as many products in my hometown so I have bought some of my favorite things and will bring them back home," she said.

Ren Yuanzheng and Li Min

This is the sixth time that Ren Yuanzheng of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection celebrated Women's Day with other members of the CPPCC.

"The First Session of the 10th NPC and the First Session of the 10th National Committee of CPPCC are of great importance after the 16th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The government work report by Zhu Rongji told us of a brilliant future for China. We should be very proud to be eye-witnesses to such great changes and developments in our history," said the member.

Li Min, daughter of late Chairman Mao Zedong, said, "I was a member of the 9th CPPCC Beijing Municipal Committee and I am an honorary guest of this session of the 10th CPPCC National Committee. My health is good but I just can't talk for too long." She appreciated the congratulations from other members on Women's Day.

(China.org.cn by Zhong Xiaowu, translated by Unisumoon, March 13, 2003)