President Hu Jintao
today said that peace, development and cooperation have become
irresistible historical trends and serve as the basis for women's
development globally. Hu was speaking at the opening ceremony of a
meeting commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World
Conference on Women that held in China in 1995.
Hu said that peace is the first and foremost precondition for
women's causes, development the material basis of women's
development and cooperation an important approach to promote
women's rights and interests.
Women and children are the main victims of war and armed
conflict, and only an environment of stability and peace can enable
women to truly enjoy all their rights and interests, and realize
self-fulfillment and development, he added.
He urged all countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and
cooperation rather than the use or threat of force. He also pressed
for the formulation of development strategies based on national
conditions, and cooperation to promote women's development around
the world.
"We should pay closer attention to women's aspirations and their
pursuit of a better life. In particular, we should give special
attention to the status of many women living under the pressures of
war and poverty."
He said China will keep to the path of peaceful development,
enhance exchanges and cooperation with the international community
and work with other countries to advance women's causes
worldwide.
The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held
from September 4 to 14 in Beijing in 1995. It discussed the global
strategy to promote gender equality and the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action were adopted during the conference.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2005)