The Seminar for Women Leaders of Political Parties from Southern African Countries was held in Beijing on November 28, 2022. The seminar, with the theme "Pooling the Wisdom and Strength of Chinese and African Women and Jointly Implementing the Global Development Initiative," was cohosted by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).

Shen Yueyue, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of the ACWF, attended the seminar's opening ceremony and delivered the keynote speech. Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, presided over the ceremony and delivered wrap-up remarks.

Shen said the 20th CPC National Congress (held in October) summarized systematically the Party and the country's historic achievements and changes, which occurred during the first decade of the new era. The congress drew a magnificent blueprint for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, announced a strong voice of the era to promote world peace and development, and to build a community with a shared future. China always respects and supports African countries as they seek development paths that fit their respective conditions, and China works with African countries to expand people's path to modernization, Shen noted.

Last year, Shen said, Chinese President Xi Jinping first mentioned the spirit of China-Africa friendship, announced "China will work closely with African countries to implement nine programs," raised four proposals to build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era; and those moves became a powerful drive to boost the development of China-Africa relations. Shen sincerely hoped Chinese and African women will grasp the trend of the times, adhere to development-priority, and promote the progress of women's undertakings, mutual learning of civilizations and people-to people connectivity. Shen also hoped Chinese and African women will deepen practical cooperation, jointly enhance development to advance traditional friendship among Chinese and African people, and make contributions as the strength of "half the sky" in the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

In her remarks, Huang said the seminar was an action to implement the outcome of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (held in November 2021). Representatives from various countries exchanged development practices, had in-depth discussions on practical cooperation concerning women's development, demonstrated Chinese and African women's joint determination and confidence in working toward the same goal, and in supporting each other. Huang said the seminar's participants showed their great potential and strength in the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and in promoting China-Africa development. She called on participants to uphold the spirit of China-Africa friendship raised by President Xi, deepen friendship and trust among Chinese and African women during mutual learning, and make new and greater contributions to building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

Mabel M. Chinomona, President of the Senate of Zimbabwe, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and Secretary of ZANU-PF's Women's League, the leaders of women's organizations from the governing parties of 10 southern African countries, and heads of governments' departments concerning women's affairs gave speeches online. They spoke of the achievements China has made in its economy, society, and women and children's undertakings under the leadership of President Xi. They said China's practices have set a good example not only for Africa, but also for the world. They expressed gratitude to the CPC Central Committee's International Department and to the ACWF for their support in African women's ability building. They said the seminar served as a new platform for strengthening China-Africa friendly cooperation and for advancing women's development.

Guo Yezhou, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and leaders from the Department of African Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the opening ceremony. There were also about 100 attendees included Chinese ambassadors to southern African countries, ambassadors of southern African countries to China and students to the seminar.

(Women of China English Monthly)