BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday raised four proposals to advance women's rights and interests.

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The international community needs to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on women, strive for genuine gender equality, ensure that women advance at the forefront of the times, and enhance global cooperation in advancing women's development, Xi said at a high-level meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

We need to pay special attention to the health, social and psychological needs and working environment of frontline women medical workers.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President

"We need to pay special attention to the health, social and psychological needs and working environment of frontline women medical workers," Xi said.

He also noted that protection of women's rights and interests must become the commitment at the national level.

"As we pursue post-COVID recovery, we may create new opportunities for women to participate in decision-making and be more involved in national, economic, cultural and social governance," Xi said.

He stressed the importance of fully leveraging the role of the government and mobilizing all stakeholders to support women and help them live their lives to the full.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with delegates to the 12th National Women's Congress (NWC) in Beijing, China, Oct 30, 2018. (JU PENG / XINHUA)

China supports the United Nations (UN) in making women's development a priority to make women-related targets early harvest results of its 2030 Agenda, Xi said.

China is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 fast-track countries in women's and children's health, Xi said

He also suggested the UN Women expand its toolkit for promoting gender equality and improve the global roadmap for women's development.

Equality between men, women 'basic state policy in China'

President Xi said equality between men and women is a basic state policy in China.

China has put in place a legal system comprising over 100 laws and regulations for fully protecting women's rights and interests, Xi said.

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"As a matter of fact, China is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 fast-track countries in women's and children's health," Xi said.

He added that the gender gap in China's compulsory education has been largely closed.

Women account for over 40 percent of China's workforce, and more than half of China's internet start-up businesses were set up by women, Xi said.  

This undated photo shows delegates from around China attending the opening ceremony of the 11th National Women's Congress in Beijing. (LIAO PAN / CHINA DAILY)

'Commitment at national level'

Xi also said the protection of women's rights and interests must become a commitment at the national level.

"As we pursue post-COVID recovery, we may create new opportunities for women to participate in decision-making and be more involved in national, economic, cultural and social governance," Xi said. 

Women's contribution highlighted

He highlighted the extraordinary achievements women have made in society and the challenges they face globally, calling for steps to promote gender equality and women's development around the world.

He added that China supports greater representation of women in the United Nations system.