At the Communication University of China on Thursday, Chinese and international experts convene to discuss the mutual influence between the media and women's social development.

The three-day forum is part of the University's UNESCO Chair Program on media and gender. CRIENGLISH.com reported.

"The newly-established UNESCO chair of the Communication University of China has invited other UNESCO chair holders to Beijing to share their experience and results of their research."

This is Director of Beijing's UNESCO Office, Yasuyuki Aoshima, addressing the first international forum on media and gender equality, which opened on Thursday.

It is the first international forum since the establishment of UNESCO's chair on media and gender at the Communication University last September.

As society's messenger, the media is a very powerful force in pushing gender equality and social development forward. On one hand, listening to radio, and watching TV and film have become an integral part of the Chinese people's cultural lifestyle.

As Deputy Director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Zhao Shi reports that Chinese women today are becoming more concerned with state affairs.

A recent survey shows 55.4 percent of Chinese women prefer to listen to or watch news to entertainment programs. The figure demonstrates a 21st century trend. Women have now developed a stronger interest in social issues and connect their own destinies closely with that of their country and changes in the world. They also associate personal career development with national development and social progress.

As the media works to empower women with knowledge, the number of women actively participating in the field of journalism has risen. Official statistics show by the end of 2005 women's participation constitutes nearly 40 percent of the over 120,000 licensed editors and reporters in China. Nearly 70 percent of the 16,000 broadcasters and anchors are women.

In addition to the round-table discussions, women experts and media representatives from 10 Chinese western provinces will deliver speeches. International women experts will also field questions from the audience.

(CRI.com January 13, 2006)