A reception was held in Beijing on Tuesday to celebrate the 96th anniversary of International Women's Day. Some 1,500 Chinese and foreigners attended the reception held at the Great Hall of the People.

Addressing the reception, Gu Xiulian, president of the All-China Women's Federation, said the past year marked the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Government leaders and representatives from almost 90 countries attended the conference. Chinese President Hu Jintao said, in a speech delivered at the conference, China always attaches great importance to the role of women. China has made equality of men and women a basic state policy, which demonstrates the country's determination to promote gender equality.

Gu, also vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said in 2005, the NPC Standing Committee revised the Law on Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women, and strengthened legal protection of women's rights and interests.

This year is the first year of China's 11th Five-Year Program. Women serve as a driving force in promoting social progress and development, Gu said.

"The All-China Women's Federation will organize and lead all women in China to play active roles in China's socialist modernization," she said.

The Chinese women will work with their sisters in other parts of the world in building a world of lasting peace, common prosperity and prevailing harmony, she said. 

Vice-Premier Wu Yi (L) chats with several women during a reception to mark the International Women's Day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday March 7, 2006. The day honoring the achievements of women past and present will be marked globally on March 8, 2006.

Gu Xiulian, vice-chairmwoman of the national committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body, attends the reception to mark the International Women's Day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday March 7, 2006.

Liu Yandong (L), vice-chairmwoman of the national committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body, chats with a foreign woman during a reception to mark the International Women's Day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday March 7, 2006.

Liu Yongqing (R), wife of President Hu Jintao, chats with several women during a reception to mark the International Women's Day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday March 7, 2006.

Women from the military pose for a photo during a reception to mark the International Women's Day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday March 7, 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2006)