Under the invitation of Morocco National Women's Union, the Ministry of Family, Women and Children of Cote d'Invoire and the Ministry of Family, Social Protection and Union of Benin, the 5-member Chinese women's delegation headed by Mme. Tian Shulan, Vice-President of All-China Women's Federation visited Morocco, Cote d'Invoire and Benin from 15th to 28th July 2001. The visit aimed to strengthen friendship, promote exchanges and construct partnership between women and women's organizations of China and Africa.

　　The delegation was warmly welcomed and received with great courtesy by the governments and women's organizations of the above mentioned countries. Mr. Gbagbo, President of Cote d'Invoire, Mr. N'Guessan, Prime Minister of Cote d'Invoire, Mr.kerekou, President of Benin, Her Highness Princess Lalla Fatima of Morocco met with the delegation; Working conferences were also held between the delegation and Morocco National Women's Union, Ministry of Women's Status, Family, Children's Protection and the Affaires of the physically challenged of Morocco, Ministry of Family, Women and Children of Cote d'Invoire, and Ministry of Family, Social Protection and Union of Benin. The delegation visited women's activity centers, children's clubs, centers for orphans and disabled children, farms, markets, etc.

　　The leaders and women of the three countries expressed their heartfelt admiration for the great success accomplished by China due to the implementation of reform and opening-up policy since 20 years ago. They noted that China had set her world image as an open, independent, and vigorous with her national status climbing day by day which served as a good example for all the developing countries. They all emphasized that the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995 was a turning point for the women's movements of their countries,and particularly a landmark in their efforts to strengthen women's institutions, enhance governments' work on women, and improve the gender awareness of the public. Many leaders from the governments as well as from the women's organizations of the three countries all stressed the importance of promoting women's advancement and strengthening the exchanges and cooperation betweens women in the new century. They held that women's development strikes positive effects on social progress.
　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　

Third from the left: Mme.Tian Shulan, Vice-President of All-China Women's Federation
Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, President of Cote d'Invoire was meeting with Chinese women's delegation