Cap. The state leaders sing together with performers

Members of the Group of Spouses of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions performed
an African dance with strong national flavor for the Evening Show.

　　On March 4, 2003, Chinese and Foreign Women Singing the Same Song--an evening party in commemoration of the 93rd anniversary of International Women's Day (March 8) was co-held by the ACWF and CCTV in Beijing's Poly Theatre. The evening's theme centered on friendship, equality, development and peace.

　　Although still a little cold outside, Poly Theater was filled with warmth. From more than 100 countries and regions, ambassadors and envoys to China and their wives, women diplomats, wives of military attaches, women journalists, women experts, women representatives of international organizations' agencies in China, as well as Chinese women's representatives from all walks of life, wearing various colorful clothes that represented their own countries and ethnicities, added to the evening.

　　Peng Peiyun, Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee and ACWF President, spoke during the event. On behalf of the ACWF, she greeted the sisters from around the world. She said women are holding up half the sky, and that she wished the women could work together to make greater contributions to China's prosperity, world peace and the development and promotion of equality between men and women in the new century.

　　Ms. Kerstin Leitner, resident representative of the United Nations Development Program, a French expert from Canada with China Today magazine, and Yang Mianmian, president of Haier Group, were interviewed by the hosts. Leitner said Chinese women's status had greatly been improved, and that many outstanding women, such as leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs, had appeared in recent years. More women are receiving educations and earning degrees. The French expert from Canada said she had initially planned to stay in China for three months, but already stayed for eight years. "There is an old saying that home is where the heart is, and my heart is in China," she said. When asked what makes a woman happy, Yang replied: "When a woman participates in a job and shares in the joys of success."

　　The Group of Spouses of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Beijing performed the dance Beautiful Africa.
　　The evening ended with all the women singing together.
　　Wu Yi, State Councilor, He Luli, Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee, and Chen Muhua, ACWF's Honorary President, attended the evening.