President Hu Jintao today said that peace, development and cooperation have become irresistible historical trends and serve as the basis for women's development globally. Hu was speaking at the opening ceremony of a meeting commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women that held in China in 1995.

Hu said that peace is the first and foremost precondition for women's causes, development the material basis of women's development and cooperation an important approach to promote women's rights and interests.

Women and children are the main victims of war and armed conflict, and only an environment of stability and peace can enable women to truly enjoy all their rights and interests, and realize self-fulfillment and development, he added.

He urged all countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation rather than the use or threat of force. He also pressed for the formulation of development strategies based on national conditions, and cooperation to promote women's development around the world.

"We should pay closer attention to women's aspirations and their pursuit of a better life. In particular, we should give special attention to the status of many women living under the pressures of war and poverty."

He said China will keep to the path of peaceful development, enhance exchanges and cooperation with the international community and work with other countries to advance women's causes worldwide.

The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held from September 4 to 14 in Beijing in 1995. It discussed the global strategy to promote gender equality and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted during the conference.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2005)