New center to nurture female talent

China unveiled the Global Center for Women's Capacity Building at China Women's University in Beijing on Tuesday, as part of a series of measures proposed by the country to promote the all-around development of women worldwide.

The initiative was announced by President Xi Jinping on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing. Xi said China would establish the center and work with other countries, regions and international organizations to nurture more female talent.

The meeting marked the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. Held in Beijing in 1995, the event produced the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action — a milestone document in the movement to advance gender equality and empower women.

Huang Xiaowei, deputy head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, said the establishment of the center demonstrates China's determination to honor its commitment.

"As the host country of the Fourth World Conference on Women, China has made continuous efforts to fulfill its pledges and promote women's development through better access to education, skills training and concrete legal policies," said Huang, who is also Party secretary and vice-chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation. She added that China has also joined hands with other countries, regions and international organizations to empower women across the world.

Huang noted that the world is undergoing profound changes that have not only expanded opportunities for women's development but have also raised expectations for women's empowerment. She expressed hope that the Global Center for Women's Capacity Building would serve as a platform for multilateral exchanges and capacity building for women worldwide.

Sima Sami Bahous, undersecretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UN Women, congratulated China on launching the center. She attended the unveiling ceremony at the university on Tuesday.

Highlighting persistent global challenges faced by women and girls, including poverty, Bahous said, "There could be no better time to launch this center than this 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action."

She said the initiative contributes to accelerating progress toward the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Beijing+30 Action Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls lie at the heart of the development of nations," Bahous said. "I wish the center every success, and I wish China every success in continuing to advance women, girls and gender equality."