Beijing:  Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for stronger participation of women in politics, governance, and national decision-making, emphasizing that gender equality should be fully integrated into China’s social and political life.

Speaking at the Global Women’s Summit held in Beijing, which was co-hosted by China and UN Women, Xi said that women’s empowerment is essential to achieving national progress and global development. He urged governments and organizations to “let equality and inclusion be reflected in every level of policy and governance.”

The summit, organized 30 years after the landmark 1995 Beijing Conference on Women, brought together delegates from around the world to discuss women’s leadership and economic participation. The event also coincided with the release of a new white paper titled China’s Achievements in Women’s Well-Rounded Development in the New Era, outlining progress made in women’s rights and social inclusion.

According to the white paper, women now make up nearly half of university students and researchers in China, and about 63.7 percent of women participate in the workforce one of the highest rates globally. Female representation in the National People’s Congress has also grown to about 26.5 percent, while women make up over 30 percent of delegates in local assemblies.

Despite these improvements, women remain underrepresented at the highest levels of political power. There are currently no women on the Politburo Standing Committee, the most powerful decision-making body in China, and none among the 24 members of the Politburo. Analysts say this gap shows that significant barriers still exist for women to reach top positions in the Chinese Communist Party.

Experts also note that China’s growing demographic challenges such as a declining birth rate and an aging population are influencing the government’s approach to gender policy. Some observers worry that efforts to boost population growth could shift focus toward encouraging traditional family roles for women, potentially limiting career advancement.

Xi’s renewed call for inclusion appears aimed at reinforcing China’s global image as a leader in gender equality and social progress. While his remarks highlight an ambition to advance women’s participation in public life, critics caution that genuine change will depend on whether structural reforms follow these statements.

For many in China’s women’s rights movement, the hope is that this summit will mark a turning point where the country not only celebrates progress but also addresses the persistent inequalities that prevent women from sharing equally in leadership and governance.