The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region co-hosted the 2023 China-ASEAN Women's Forum in Liuzhou, a city in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 15. The forum's theme was "Innovation in Science and Technology for Women's Development." Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, attended the forum. She delivered the keynote speech.

Huang said China and ASEAN are linked by mountains and waters, as well as hearts and aspirations. With the strategic guidance and personal commitment of Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of ASEAN countries, China and ASEAN have moved forward hand-in-hand, and have embarked together on a path of long-term good neighborliness and friendship and of common development and prosperity. Women have witnessed and made contributions to the friendly communications and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN; sisters from all countries have learned good practices from each other, deepened affections, and contributed women's strength — as holding up "half the sky" — to building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home for a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, Huang added.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with Comrade Xi at its core, applies a people-centered development philosophy, remains committed to the fundamental national policy of gender equality, advances women's causes in accordance with economic and social development, and leads Chinese women's undertakings to reach historic progress, Huang noted. China attaches importance to women's roles in innovation in science and technology, and the country has undertaken a series of measures to strengthen support for women scientific and technological workers and help them progress and show their potential. The 20th CPC National Congress (held in 2022) lifted the significance of science, technology, talent resource and innovation to a new level and built a wider stage for women to participate in the innovation of science and technology. China is willing to work with sisters from ASEAN countries to advance and share innovation in science and technology, and to play a greater role in bringing common benefits to humankind.

Distinguished speakers included: Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women's Affairs of Cambodia; Bintang Puspayoga, Minister for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection of Indonesia; Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia; Lavan Southisan, Vice-President of Lao Women's Union; Thet Thet Zin, President of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation; Sun Xueling, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development of Singapore; and, Céu Brites, Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Timor-Leste.

The guests spoke of China's development and achievements, expressed gratitude for the exchange platform built by China, and expressed their willingness to enhance global cooperation on women's causes, promote the benefits brought by science and technology to people of all countries, and make new contributions to advance the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and build the Belt and Road.

Liao Pinhu, Vice-Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Director of Guangxi Working Committee on Children and Women, Wang Hongyang, Academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Chinese Women Scientists Association, Wu Wei, Secretary of the CPC Liuzhou Municipal Committee, and Xu Jing, Counselor with the Department of Asian Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, also delivered speeches. Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, presided over the forum.

More than 200 participants attended the forum, including women representatives from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou City, several provincial women's federations, the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, overseas Chinese, as well as heads of women's institutions and organizations of ASEAN countries, experts and scholars, women entrepreneurs and women international students in China. The participants exchanged views during panel discussions on "Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Innovators through Digital Economy" and "Cultivation of Female S&T Talents." The 2023 China-ASEAN Women's Forum Initiative was adopted.

Huang met several distinguished guests during the forum.

The 2023 China-ASEAN Women's Forum was an important side event of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo. Attendees to the women's forum also had field visits in Liuzhou and Nanning, both in Guangxi.

(Source: Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation)