Xiplomacy: How China helps empower women from Asia to Africa

SAFEGUARDING HER WELL-BEING

In late September, 14-year-old Alifa Chin from Bangladesh visited China for the third time. She toured universities and exchanged ideas with her Chinese peers, gathering inspiration and energy to pursue her dreams.

When Chin was born in 2010, her mother suffered a difficult delivery due to a severe heart problem. At that time, the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark was in Bangladesh as part of a multiple-country mission to provide free medical services to local people. Upon learning of the emergency, Chinese doctors aboard the ship rushed to the local hospital to perform a cesarean section on her mother. Both mother and daughter were saved.

The child's father, Anwar Hossen, named his daughter "Chin," meaning "China" in Bengali.

In 2017, Chin met Dr. Sheng Ruifang, a Chinese female doctor who had performed the surgery. As they embraced warmly, the young girl called out "Chinese mother" in English. From that moment, the dream of becoming a doctor took root. Dr. Sheng encouraged her, saying, "I am willing to share all my experience with you."

In 2023, Chin wrote a letter to Xi, sharing her special connection with China and her dream. The president responded, encouraging her to study hard to make her dream come true, give back to her family, contribute to society and serve her country.

Chin framed Xi's letter, and displayed it on her desk. "I want to tell dear Grandpa Xi that I have always remembered your advice and am studying hard to achieve my dreams," she said. "My 'Chinese mother' gave me both life and inspiration, and I hope to follow her example by using my abilities to help and save others."

On a global scale, China's initiatives demonstrate its commitment to women's welfare. It has helped developing countries implement 100 "health projects for women and children" and 100 "happy campus projects," providing educational support to disadvantaged girls.

Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, spoke highly of the Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, jointly established by China and UNESCO in 2015. The award has supported 20 projects across 19 countries, raising global awareness about the importance of education for women's well-being and empowerment.