Xi said every woman is a star on the journey of Chinese modernization
"We should jointly nurture an environment that respects women, and morph gender equality into a common value and a code of conduct embraced by everyone in our society."
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing -- arguably the highest-profile international meeting on women’s issues hosted by China over the past decade. A chair’s statement was issued at the closing ceremony.
In the previous edition of the meeting in 2015, Xi also delivered a keynote address. He presented four key proposals in both his 2015 and 2025 addresses. Comparing the two reveals important shifts that highlight China’s latest progress and top-level policy guidance on gender equality, as well as its evolving perspective on women’s development from a global standpoint.
First, we should jointly foster an enabling environment for women’s growth and development. Their all-round development is achieved under the prerequisite of peace and tranquility. We need to uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and must safeguard world peace, so that all women can bask in the sunlight of happiness and tranquility and stay away from the shadow of war and turmoil.
The shift in the ordering of points is notable. In 2015, “combating violence against women” and “peace and tranquility” were addressed as the third and fourth points, respectively. This year, they were moved to the first point, with significant emphasis on the importance of peace. This change comes against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent world marked by frequent regional conflicts and multiple humanitarian crises.
Additionally, in 2015, the statement “We must eradicate all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence“ specifically highlighted domestic violence. Just a year later, the Anti-Domestic Violence Law of the People’s Republic of China came into effect, signaling a rapid legislative response to the issue.
拓宽妇女参政议政渠道，支持妇女广泛参与国家和社会治理。共同营造尊重妇女的良好氛围，使性别平等真正内化为全社会的文明共识和行为准则。
We should broaden the channels for women to participate in and deliberate on political affairs, and support their extensive engagement in state and social governance. We should jointly nurture an environment that respects women, and morph gender equality into a common value and a code of conduct embraced by everyone in our society.
Reuters suggests in a report that the first sentence above, which calls for greater political participation for women, will “ensure” gender equality being “truly internalized” within society as noted in the second sentence.
BEIJING/HONG KONG, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for greater representation for women in politics and government at a global women’s summit in Beijing, a move he said would ensure that gender equality is “truly internalized” within society.
Reuters’ interpretation suggests a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the two. However, given the conventions of Chinese official speeches and documents, as well as the structure of this paragraph, the two sentences are more likely intended as separate points addressing different dimensions of gender equality — one concerning policy-level participation, and the other broader cultural and societal change. In this sense, Reuters’ report misrepresented the logical relationship between the two.
To further compare those two sentences with the statement made in 2015, the shift reflects a clear change in focus.
2015 version:
要增强妇女参与政治经济活动能力，提高妇女参与决策管理水平，使妇女成为政界、商界、学界的领军人物。
We must build up women’s capacity to play their part in society and economy, involve women in higher levels of decision-making, and support them in becoming leaders in political, business, and academic fields.
In 2015, the emphasis was on individual empowerment, focusing on enhancing women’s personal capabilities and providing opportunities for leadership roles across various sectors. The statement targeted personal development, encouraging women’s involvement in politics, business, and academia.
In contrast, the 2025 statement places greater emphasis on systemic support, particularly within political and governance structures. The focus is on creating broader channels for women’s participation and influence in decision-making processes, signaling a clear message to support women’s roles in governance.
The absence of specific references to business and academia in the 2025 statement likely reflects the progress women have already made in these areas. It reminds me of a recent podcast episode with Professor Yueping Song from the School of Population and Health at Renmin University of China, who noted that eight of her ten PhD students are women.
According to a white paper on China’s achievements in women’s well-rounded development, released by the State Council Information Office in September, points out that women now make up over 50 percent of internet entrepreneurs, indicating significant strides in these sectors.
今天，中国妇女在经济社会发展中真正发挥着“半边天”作用。中国全社会就业人员中女性占比超过四成，互联网领域创业者中女性超过一半，过去4届夏季奥运会奖牌获得者中女性占比超过60%。新时代的中国女性正在以前所未有的自信和活力参与国家和社会治理全过程，奋战在乡村振兴和共同富裕第一线，拼搏于科技创新和数字转型最前沿，书写着昂扬奋进的巾帼华章。中国式现代化新征程上，每一位妇女都是主角！
Today, women in China truly “hold up half the sky” in economic and social development. They make up more than 40 percent of the workforce, more than half of internet start-up founders, and more than 60 percent of all medalists in the past four Summer Olympic Games. In the new era, Chinese women, more confident and vibrant than ever before, are taking part in the whole process of state and social governance. They are fighting on the front lines for rural revitalization and common prosperity as well as scientific innovation and digital transition. They are writing a splendid history of the cause of women in China. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, every woman is a star.
Aligning with the idea of women as stars in Chinese modernization, the chair’s statement emphasizes “fully leveraging the principal role and transformative power of women in development, and empowering women to participate in and lead the pursuit of sustainable development and prosperity.”
It should be noted that the concept of “a Chinese path to modernization” holds significant weight in China’s political sphere. In his report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi emphasized that it is the central task of the Party leadership.
Compared to the corresponding section 2015 (below), this year’s address highlights more specifically Chinese women’s achievements in key areas of modernization, such as entrepreneurship, sports, tech innovation, and grassroots governance.
Two key stats: over 50 percent of internet entrepreneurs are women, and women account for more than 60 percent of medalists in the past four Summer Olympics.
2015 version:
在中国人民追求美好生活的过程中，每一位妇女都有人生出彩和梦想成真的机会。中国将更加积极贯彻男女平等基本国策，发挥妇女“半边天”作用，支持妇女建功立业、实现人生理想和梦想。中国妇女也将通过自身发展不断促进世界妇女运动发展，为全球男女平等事业作出更大贡献。
As the Chinese people pursue a happy life, every Chinese woman has the opportunities to excel in life and make their dream come true. China will do more to enhance gender equality as its basic state policy, give play to women’s important role as “half of the sky” and support them in realizing their own dreams and aspirations in both career and life. The Chinese women, through their own development, will also play a greater part in global women’s movement and make greater contribution to gender equality in the world.
The phrase “Women hold up half the sky,” first introduced in the 1950s in China to promote gender equality, has been widely used for over 70 years.
Compared to a decade ago, when the role of women as “half the sky” was mentioned, there is a clear tone shift, which reflects a subtle but strategic evolution in messaging.
The earlier statement, “China will give play to women’s important role as ‘half of the sky,’” was framed in terms of potential -- an aspirational goal indicating intention but not yet fully realized. It projected a need for action, implying women’s role was something to be nurtured.
In contrast, the current statement, “Today, women in China truly ‘hold up half the sky’ in economic and social development,” firmly establishes that this goal has been achieved. It’s no longer aspirational but declarative, positioning women’s contributions as not only integral but already embedded in the nation’s core development narrative.