Paris, France — Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasized the vital role of women’s education during her visit to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters on May 6. She underscored that promoting education for girls and women is a significant endeavor closely linked to social progress and the shared future of humanity.
Empowering Women Through Education
During her meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Peng detailed China’s recent advancements in supporting girls’ and women’s education. She highlighted the successes of the Spring Bud Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at helping girls who have dropped out of school to return to their studies and improving teaching conditions in impoverished areas.
By the end of 2022, the project had raised 2.91 billion yuan (approximately $403 million), providing assistance to over 4.09 million girls across the country. Peng, serving as UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls’ and Women’s Education, shared her experiences from visiting numerous schools worldwide over the past decade. She expressed joy in seeing more women leading better lives thanks to educational opportunities.
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 released by the World Economic Forum, China ranked first among 146 countries in tertiary education enrollment, achieving a score of 1.00, indicating no gender gap. Peng stated that China is willing to collaborate with UNESCO to encourage increased global investment in girls’ and women’s education, helping more women gain equal access to educational rights and jointly creating a better future.
Fostering Cultural Exchanges
While in Paris, Peng also visited the Orsay Museum, where she admired classic Impressionist artworks by renowned painters such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. She noted the mutual appreciation for painting shared by the Chinese and French people and expressed hope for increased cultural exchanges.
“Through deeper artistic interaction, our peoples can experience the charm of each other’s cultures and strengthen mutual understanding,” Peng said. With 2024 marking the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, both countries are set to host a series of cultural events open to the public, encompassing performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage, and tourism promotion.
Peng’s visit highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance educational and cultural ties between China and France, fostering collaboration and goodwill on the global stage.
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Peng Liyuan highlights women's education, cultural exchanges in Paris
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