Over 1,000 Chinese and foreign women met in Beijing on Tuesday to celebrate the International Women's Day.
About 600 foreign women from 100 countries, including ambassadors' wives, foreign diplomats, foreign women working in China and Chinese women took part in an evening show at the city's Poly Theater to commemorate the 93rd International Women's Day.
Addressing the commemoration, Peng Peiyun, president of the All-China Women's Federation, called for all the women, who are described as supporting half of the sky, to unite and contribute to China's prosperity, world peace and the equality between men and women.
The theme of the show was "Friendship, Equality, Development and Peace".
A fashion show entitled The Flowing Forbidden City presented the beauty of China's imperial city through the red and yellow couture. The dance Beautiful Africa, performed by wives of African ambassadors in China, brought the African plain to the audience and won standing applause.
During the show, the master of ceremonies interviewed world famous Chinese women, including the former world table tennis champion, Deng Yaping, and world badminton champion Li Lingwei.
The evening show ended in the Same Song sung by the Chinese and foreign singers.
(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2003)