In line with its newly-amended constitution, the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), the largest women's organization in the country, has pledged to promote the recruitment of more women from its ranks .

The Ninth National Women's Congress, held from August 22 to 26, passed the amendment to the ACWF's constitution, which says that the federation at all levels should always recommend and supply women to participate in government and political affairs.

"In the next five years, the ACWF will try its best to turn out more women for Party committees, the People's Congress and government departments at different levels," said Ma Yanjun, head of the liaison office of ACWF.

The ACWF will also help its own 80,000 women members improve their skills, said Ma.

Over the past five years, many women were sent to work in local governments. For example, Wang Meixiang, the former president of ACWF in eastern China's Fujian Province, has become the vice-governor of the province.

Wei Xiaoqin, the president of the women's federation in eastern China's Jiangxi Province, has become the secretary-general of the provincial government.

Likewise, the former vice-president of ACWF, Hua Fuzhou, is expected to be promoted to the position of vice-minister of labour in September.

Xinhua

(China Daily 08/27/2003 page2)