The China-UK Women's Cultural Festival, with a theme of "Women
and the Olympics," is scheduled for Feb. 10-17 in London and
Durham, Britain.
The festival, jointly organized by the All-China Women's
Federation (ACWF), the London Mayor's Office and the Organizing
Committee for China Now, aims to increase understanding between
Chinese and British women as well as drawing specific links between
the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, to be held in Beijing and London,
respectively.
The main activities of the festival include a forum on women and
the Olympics, a photo show on Chinese women, a meeting of Chinese
and British businesswomen, and performances by a Chinese children's
troupe.
Organizers said that the festival would be one of the highlights
of China Now and China in London 2008, two major galas set for the
year in Britain.
Gu Xiulian, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress of China and president of the ACWF, will
lead a delegation of 80, including government officials, officers
for the Olympics, athletes, and businesswomen, to the festival.
At the forum, the main part of the festival, participants from
both countries are expected to exchange views on such topics as
creation of business opportunities for women arising from the
Olympics and how the Games influence women's lives.
The performances by the children feature Chinese folk music,
dancing and martial arts.
"We hope the various activities are able to reflect progress and
development of Chinese women and children, and the good wishes of
the Chinese people for peace, the Olympics and a harmonious
society," said Zhao Shaohua, vice president of the ACWF.
The ACWF staged its first women's cultural festival in France in
2004 and has since held similar events in Russia, Brazil, Thailand
and the Republic of Korea.
(Xinhua Mews Agency February 3, 2008)