Chinese women have more say in politics, with more than 200 of
them now in positions of the governors, cabinet ministers or
holding posts equivalent to that level.
The proportion of female officials at various levels of
government and state institutions has been raised to 40 percent,
said Huang Qingyi, vice-president and first secretary of the
Secretariat of All-China Women's Federation, at a press conference
on Tuesday.
"The participation of women in politics has increased
enormously," Huang said, noting that currently there are nine
female "state leaders" -- a term described people with a post equal
to or above the vice-premier level.
These important females include Wu Yi, vice-premier and
Political Bureau member of the Communist Party of China Central
Committee, He Luli, Gu Xiulian and Uyunqimg, all vice-chairwomen of
the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, or top
legislature, and Chen Zhili, State Councilor.
Five women have been promoted to state leaders in less than six
years since 2001, Huang added.
At the end of 2005, there were 241 women in the ministerial
posts across China, which means they are key decision-makers in a
province and ministry, or equally important state agencies.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)