Hu Jintao, Chinese president and general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has called on Chinese women to constantly strive for renovation and further achievements in the course of the opening-up and reform as well as the modernization drive.

Hu made the remark in Beijing Wednesday when talking with the newly-elected leaders of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and some of the delegates who attended the Ninth National Women's Congress of China.

The Congress, held August 22-26, was attended by more than 1,300 deputies from across the country.

The ACWF, established in 1949, is the largest women's organization in the country, and holds its national congress every five years.

The social status of Chinese women will be further promoted along with the progress of socialist construction, Hu said, expressing the hope that Chinese women will be self-confident and have self-esteem, will strive with fortitude, and will keep renovating and creating all the time.

Hu said that all levels of the ACWF should be based upon grassroots work and closely linked with the everyday lives of Chinese women. The CPC always attaches great importance to women's work, and will do its best to help women overcome all kinds of difficulties, including unemployment and women- and children-related crimes, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2003)