All parties should continue to work together to translate the global consensus on promoting gender equality and sustainable development into concrete actions, said a Chinese representative at a UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.
Speaking at the forum, Song Li, secretary of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, said gender equality is a core issue concerning human dignity, social justice and global development, and a key driving force for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Song noted that women receiving education can create greater value for their families and society, women's participation in decision-making can lead to more inclusive and sustainable policies, and women's participation in the peace process will be more conducive to achieving lasting peace and stability.
She emphasized that achieving gender equality requires redoubled efforts, and that China will integrate the concept of gender equality into every policy and every action. "China has always adhered to the basic national policy of gender equality and established a comprehensive legal system for safeguarding women's rights and interests, including over 100 laws and regulations. The proportion of women in higher education exceeds half, the female labor participation rate reaches 63.7 percent, and the proportion of female entrepreneurs in the Internet field reaches 55 percent. More women are moving from traditional fields to emerging ones such as sci-tech innovation, artificial intelligence, big data, and new medicine research and development, contributing their wisdom and strength to high-quality development," said Song.
China urges all parties to promote gender equality with concrete actions
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
