All-China Women's Federation chairwoman Chen Zhili has urged local branches and women's organizations to ensure government polices on micro-credit and medical checks for women are properly implemented.

Chen, also a vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said Friday at a forum on the development of women in western China that local women's federations should work together to promote the common progress for women.

This included ensuring polices for soft loans to help women start their businesses and gynecological cancer examination programs are carried out nationwide.

She said the government strategy for the development of western China and policies to stimulate the economy had brought about opportunities for women in the region.

Chen also hosted a workshop on women's issues in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, and inspected charitable programs to benefit poor mothers and rural children, whose parents have gone to work in cities.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2009)