On the afternoon of March 7, 2006, a grand reception to celebrate the 96th anniversary of International Women's Day was held by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. About 1,500 people_including Chinese women from all walks of life, foreign women diplomats, foreign diplomats' wives, foreign womene xperts and foreign experts'wives_attended the event. Women from ethnic groups wore their unique ethnic clothes, and all of the women looked elegant and were graceful.

    During the reception, Gu Xiulian, Vice- Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and ACWF President, delivered a speech, through which she extended best wishes to women around the world.

    In her speech, Gu recalled the 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which was held last year in Beijing. She also stressed that 2006 is the first year of China's 11th Five-Year Plan, and that women play a major role in promoting society's development and progress. During the 11th Five-Year period, ACWF will unite and lead women's participation in socialist modernization efforts, in implementing the 11th Five-Year Plan, and in promoting parallel advancement of the economy, society and the women's causes.

    After her speech, the women enjoyed several wonderful Chinese performances_including Dai ethnic group's folk dances and Yi ethnic group's singing.