Representatives from various countries attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women (GLMW) have pointed out that China's proposals and suggestions provide direction for accelerating the new process of women's comprehensive development and set an example for countries worldwide.
At the GLMW's opening ceremony on Monday morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward four proposals to accelerate the comprehensive development of women: jointly creating a favorable environment for women's growth and development, jointly fostering strong momentum for high-quality development of women's causes, jointly building a governance framework to safeguard women's rights and interests, and jointly writing a new chapter in promoting global women's cooperation. He also announced several pragmatic measures to support global women's causes, which resonated strongly with all participating parties.
"I think President Xi's commitment that is followed by actions is such a standard that we need to follow in terms of governments committing to a vision, and then bringing the resources, the expertise to support it. And the commitments that the president made on behalf of China to UN Women, my agency, to supporting a broader development assistance around the world, up to 100 million U.S. dollars that is targeting gender equality, women's empowerment is crucial. And the South-South cooperation that is intended is exactly what we hear governments in the United Nations are asking for," said Kristin Arab, regional director for Asia and the Pacific at UN Women.
"I want to join my voices to the many that have congratulated China in taking the lead once again to bring all leaders together, global leaders to champion gender equality," said Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana's minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
"We listened to the speech of the President today and the speech was very interesting to us at the African countries like but (also) the global at large. The issue of the gender equality and the women empowerment is very crucial to our countries, especially for Southern Africa. So the emphasis that he put on the digital divide, we see that nowadays the digital divide is very high compared to other countries. So we need to unite the technological purpose so that women also should be engaged in technological, so that we could remove this digital divide," said Juliana Gibonde, a Tanzanian representative attending the GLMW.
UN reports show that currently, over 600 million women and girls worldwide are still deeply affected by conflicts and wars, and 2 billion women and girls lack social security. The global women's cause faces both opportunities and challenges.
Since entering the new era, China has actively promoted global governance in women's affairs through concrete actions. Guests attending Monday's meeting spoke highly of the rapid progress of women's causes in China, saying that China has contributed a vivid example of "China's governance" to the world and injected valuable "she power" into the progress of human civilization.
"China today is leader of women's development because China today promoting gender equality in economic, in digital sphere, in culture, in all spheres," said Zamira Akbagisheva, chair of the Kyrgyzstan Women's Congress.
"Having been here for two years, I have witnessed China's deep respect for women and their inclusion, having women included in every decision and in their leadership. And it is impressive and it is a model for the world to follow. And I hope that the world listens to the People's Republic of China and takes example and follows the examples of the People's Republic of China when it comes to women's inclusiveness," said Williams, a Jamaican representative.
Attendees to GLMW praise China's contributions to women's development
The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission returned safely to Earth on Friday after completing their planned tasks aboard the Tiangong space station.
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship, carrying Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 20:11 Beijing Time (1211 GMT), according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The returned astronauts were reported to be in good physical condition after landing, according to staff on site.
Zhang Lu was the first to exit the return capsule after it touched down on Earth.
"I'm thrilled to once again return to the embrace of our motherland. The Shenzhou-21 crew's seven-month stay in orbit would not have been possible without the care of our families and comrades, the support of leaders at all levels and all colleagues involved in the project, and above all, the backing of our country and our people. One sentence sums up my thoughts on my second space mission: 'It takes a whole team's devotion to make one person's voyage into the sea of stars,' " Zhang said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) shortly after he was carried out of the return capsule.
"I also have a gift to share with everyone. On the day of the Shenzhou-21 launch, the ground support team gave us an apple, wishing us a safe and smooth mission. Our safe return is their greatest wish. Tomorrow is May 30, the National Science and Technology Workers' Day. So when we left the space station, we specifically brought back an apple. We want to give it to all science and technology workers, and say 'thank you for your hard work'. At the same time, I wish our space industry continued prosperity, and every mission safe and smooth," he said.
"Returning to Earth and to the embrace of our motherland, I feel extremely secure and proud. Being entrusted with such a significant responsibility in my first space mission is a great honor. It is the trust of my country, the guidance of my predecessors, and the teamwork of the entire crew that enabled me to successfully complete the mission. This mission has taught me that the most beautiful posture of youth is to march out for the country. I will turn this space experience into the driving force for my continued progress, and continue to fight and strive for the manned space program," said crew member Wu Fei.
"From the ground laboratory to China's space station, it is our great motherland that has enabled me to achieve a perfect integration of my scientific ideals and spaceflight dreams. With the support of the entire project team, the assistance of researchers and scientists, and the care of so many people, our crew has worked as one and successfully completed all assigned scientific projects, including the first successful in-orbit breeding of small mammals, the growing of a thriving space vegetable garden with an even wider varieties, and the collection of valuable data from projects such as in-situ electrochemical and optical studies on lithium-ion batteries," said Zhang Hongzhang, who was the last of the astronauts to exit the spacecraft.
"Looking at Earth from space, I deeply felt that humanity is an indivisible community with a shared future. Now that I am back on Earth and have returned to my motherland, I feel an immense sense of security and warmth. Going forward, I will continue to build on these achievements and contribute to making China a strong power in space, science and technology," he said.
The returned crew members will now head to Beijing by plane and enter a quarantined recovery period, during which they will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and health assessments and start their recuperation process.
Prior to their return, the astronauts completed all planned tasks and handed over the space station to their three colleagues of the Shenzhou-23 mission who boarded the space station on May 25.
The crew's planned stay in-orbit was extended by approximately one month to further verify the technologies regarding the long-term stay of astronauts in orbit and fully use the supplies delivered by the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft in an emergency launch.
The Shenzhou-21 crew's original spaceship, which sent them into space on Oct 31 last year, was previously returned to Earth carrying the astronauts of the preceding Shenzhou-20 mission after tiny cracks were found in the viewport window of the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft's return capsule. That spacecraft was later safely brought back to Earth.
Shenzhou-21 crew return to Earth after successful seven-month mission in space
