A grand gathering was held in Beijing Monday to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

Chinese President Hu Jintao addressed the opening ceremony of the gathering. He said the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing ten years ago, passing the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, and today, it is meaningful to review the achievement of the women's movement over the past decade.

He said this year conincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, which has all along made efforts to improve women's status and gender equality.

Hu said China has all along attached great importance to women's role and vigorously promoted the women's cause. China will adhere to a basic policy of gender equality, and promote harmonious development between men and women, he said.

He also noted China will implement a scientific concept of development, and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation and advance women's cause worldwide.

Hu said peace and development is the precondition for women's cause, and all nations should work together to safeguard world peace and promote common prosperity.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said the gathering would promote international cooperation and women's human rights and freedom. President of the Republic of Estonia Arnold Ruutel voiced his hope that the UN summit to be held in New York would pay more attention to women's problems, saying that only through the common efforts of all nations could the world women cause develop.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour read the message of the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, hoping all nations would work together to realize the commitment of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

The Chinese government sponsored the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The participants of the on-going meeting will review the women development movement over the past decade, and find a solution for the problems facing the world.

Source: Xinhua