The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the People's Government of Shaanxi Province cohosted the Silk Road on Fingertips — 2022 Silk Road Women's Forum in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, in Northwest China, on August 14. Cai Shumin, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and Guo Dawei, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress and President of the Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Trade Unions, attended and addressed the forum.

Women from countries along the Silk Road reached consensus during the forum, which was an important component of the Sixth Silk Road International Exposition (SRIE). Approximately 100 participants from China and BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) countries or regions held discussions on the theme of "harnessing women's power for the BRI." They exchanged views on various topics, such as "women and the Silk Road culture" and "women and ecological civilization."

In her address, Cai said Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the building of the BRI in 2013, creating a promising future for BRI countries to enhance connectivity and advance sustainable development of their economies and society. Women from BRI countries have answered the call to participate in the construction of the BRI, and women have played their roles in promoting BRI's connection with development strategies of various countries. Cai added the women's forum aimed to strengthen women's unity and cooperation and to enhance mutual learning of various civilizations. She hoped women will work hand in hand to advance the high-quality development of the BRI, and to make contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. She outlined the historic achievements reached in the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government's adherence to the basic State policy of gender equality and in the progress of women's overall development. She also explained the efforts that the ACWF has made to enhance women’s communications among BRI countries.

On behalf of the CPC provincial committee and the people's government of Shaanxi, Guo extended a warm welcome to the participants. He hoped women will use their wisdom and will reach a consensus by advancing women's development and building and sharing prosperity of the Silk Road. He added Shaanxi Province will take the opportunity of the women's forum to promote equality and share fruitful results in the economic and social sectors, including the fields of culture and ecology. Shaanxi will provide more opportunities and a stronger commitment to ensure women's participation in the province's high-quality development, and that it will help women in Shaanxi make outstanding achievements in high-quality progress of their province, Guo added.

Wang Yu'e, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and President of Shaanxi Women's Federation, presided over the forum's opening ceremony. She said the building of the BRI requires countries and regions along the Silk Road to pursue development, believe in win-win cooperation and pass on hope. Shaanxi Women's Federation will work with women from countries and regions along the Silk Road to participate in the construction of the BRI, deepen friendship, learn from each other to enhance cooperation, and contribute women's wisdom and strength in the advancement of women's overall development.

Women from countries and regions along the Silk Road have harnessed their wisdom and power in the construction of the BRI, making contributions to forge a new synergy of women's exchanges and cooperation in the BRI region.

During the forum's opening ceremony, the women's federations of Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai provinces and the Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions signed a cooperation letter of intent to advance women's innovation and development along the Silk Road. The federations formed a "cooperation union" to promote women's practical cooperation on the economy, culture and education in Northwest China, and to fully utilize the Silk Road region's advantages in pushing forward women's innovation and development.

The women's federations of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province signed an agreement of cooperation framework, under which they plan to make full use of their location — both located in the economic zone of the Silk Road — to support relevant industries, promote people-to-people exchanges, cultivate talents, build ecological systems and care for disadvantaged women. They will unite and lead women and their families in fulfilling their self-development, participating in the construction of the BRI, and working together to write a new chapter in the progress of the Silk Road.

During the forum, women elites who work in the political, economic and cultural sectors shared good practices and the achievements reached in two aspects: "Women and Silk Road culture" and "women and ecological civilization." They reviewed the Silk Road’s history and culture and discussed the relationship between humans and nature.

During the panel discussion on "women and Silk Road culture," Wang and three other speakers talked about the promotion of Silk Road culture, the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, women's charms revealed on the ancient Silk Road, and the building of brands involving silk culture. The speakers were: Li Xintong, Vice-President of the Turkey Chinese Women's General Association; Yang Jin, a professor with the School of History and Civilization of Shaanxi Normal University; and Fan Yanyan, founder of a silk brand under her name.

During the panel discussion on "women and ecological civilization," speakers talked about the building of a green Belt and Road, environmental protection, women's participation in desertification prevention and control, and women and families' roles in ecological civilization construction. The speakers were: Xu Qinhua, a professor with the School of International Studies of Renmin University of China (RUC), and also Deputy Dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy, RUC; Christine Bernabeu, President of the French Association H.E.R.A. Transcontinentale; He Yarong, a representative of the women soldiers' company on desertification prevention and control from Bulanghe, in Yulin, Shaanxi Province; and Zhuo Xiaoluan, Member of the Leading Party Members' Group and Vice-President of Fujian Women's Federation.

In Shaanxi, the forum's participants visited programs on the establishment of beautiful yards, Silk Road culture and ecological civilization. They gained a deeper understanding of Shaanxi women's participation in the building of culture and ecological civilization along the Belt and Road.

(Women of China English Monthly)