The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in 1995, marked a critical turning point in advancing global gender equality. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the conference are still regarded by the international community as one of the most comprehensive, forward-looking, and progressive blueprints for enhancing the rights of women and girls worldwide. In the three decades since then, China has "upheld the basic national policy of equality between men and women," ensuring women's all-round development through systematic and resolute action. These efforts have created positive spillover effects through international cooperation, contributing to progress in safeguarding women's rights globally.

China's advancement of women's causes constitutes a systematic national endeavor. A robust legal framework for gender equality has been established through the enactment of over a hundred laws and regulations. This is complemented by the consecutive implementation of the National Program for Women's Development, coupled with regional and specialized plans enacted by local governments at all levels. Together, they form a comprehensive working mechanism that ensures coordination between national and local authorities, fosters multi-departmental collaboration, and encourages participation from across society. Furthermore, women's equal rights are deeply embedded in China's daily ethics and behavioral norms, cultivating a shared social value of respecting and protecting women.

The advancement of women's causes in China has effectively positioned women as contributors, participants in governance, and beneficiaries of Chinese modernization. On the one hand, women are fully engaged in national development. As of September 2025, women constituted 43 percent of the workforce, 45.8 percent of science and technology professionals, and one-third of workers in emerging sectors such as digital trade, e-commerce, and live-streaming.

On the other hand, women are increasingly "holding up half the sky" within the national governance system. Female representation in the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) reached record highs, with women accounting for approximately half of all civil servants. At the grassroots level, women made up 54.3 percent of neighborhood committees and 26.1 percent of village committees.

Furthermore, women's welfare has seen comprehensive improvements. Special protections for women in the workplace have been implemented, equal rights in both basic and higher education have been secured, and 690 million women have achieved moderate prosperity in step with national development policies, with full coverage under medical and pension insurance systems.

While promoting its own rapid women's development, China participated in global governance in this regard, promoted women's cooperation in the Global South, and contributed Chinese solutions to address gender equality issues. First, building the gender equality through development: Taking China-Africa cooperation as an example, Chinese enterprises have created over 1.1 million jobs in Africa, absorbing a large number of female laborers and improving the basic living standards, economic conditions, and social status of local women.

Second, empowering gender equality through training: China has cultivated female talents for numerous Southern countries, supported women's employment and entrepreneurship, and helped women acquire advanced digital technologies and e-commerce knowledge through concrete actions, thereby enhancing their competitiveness.

Third, amplifying gender equality through international events: Since 2012, China has hosted 29 events on women's topics under multilateral cooperation frameworks, conducting in-depth experience-sharing and discussions that provide an international platform for advocating global gender equality.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has become more proactive in global governance. Its remarkable achievements in women's development and international cooperation have increasingly enabled it to play a leading role in global women's affairs.

This year, the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women will again be held in Beijing, providing an opportunity for China to play a new role in the global gender equality arena. Currently, China is accelerating the building of a community with a shared future for mankind through international cooperation, driving the deepening and implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, Global Governance Initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative. This will also serve as China's fundamental approach in global women's cooperation, which is expected to empower women through practical collaboration, and provide new ideas and momentum for promoting women's extensive participation in international political, economic, social, and cultural fields, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom to global women's development and offering Chinese strength to world gender equality.

Yue Yunxia is the deputy director-general of the Institute of Latin American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.