President Hu Jintao speaks at the opening ceremony of a meeting commemorating the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, capital of China, August 29, 2005. The UN Fourth World Conference on Women was held on September 4-14, 1995 in Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

President Hu Jintao (C), Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga (1st L) and Estonian President Arnold Ruutel attend the opening ceremony of a meeting commemorating the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, capital of China, August 29, 2005.  (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed women's contributions to social development here Monday, saying that women are playing an irreplaceable role in promoting world peace and common development.

    In his meeting with delegates attending the meeting marking the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Hu saidit has been deeply realized worldwide that promoting gender equality has a significant impact on eradicating poverty, famine and diseases and also helps realize economic and social development, advance human civilization and promote social harmony.

    The Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, issued the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action to boost gender equality.

    "The purpose of holding the commemorative meeting is to reiterate our solemn commitments to the principles of the UN Charter and the implementation of the 2000 Millennium Development Goals and the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action," Husaid.

    Hu suggested that all the countries take further efforts to eliminate discrimination against women and realize gender equalityby promulgating and improving relevant laws and regulations.

    Hu said the Chinese government attaches great importance to women's role in political, economic, cultural and social affairs as the promoting of gender equality and the protection of women's interests have been regarded as important criteria to measure China's social development.

    He said China will continue to promote gender equality, which is also China's fundamental national policy, boost women development and create a favorable social environment to give fullplay to women's role in China's development.

    Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on behalf of all thedelegates, said participants of the meeting will review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration over the past decade andlay out further goals to concert international efforts to boost women development.

    The meeting to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women opened here Monday, with more than 800 delegates from around the world. Enditem