Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi met with guests attending the 11th Global Conference of Women Entrepreneurs in Beijing Thursday.

Wu said women entrepreneurs from more than 20 countries and regions have gathered in Beijing to discuss issues of their common concern.

Wu said that China's development is an indispensable part of the world's prosperity and its achievements will contribute to world peace and development.

Svetlana Orlova, vice-chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council, who is also one of the participants to the conference, said women entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly more important role in the global economy.

The conference will arrange discussions on issues like partnership in globalization and developing women's small and medium enterprises. The conference will also hold an exhibition of Chinese women entrepreneurs and trade talks.

The conference is sponsored by the All-China Women's Federation and International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (IFWE), in cooperation with the China Association of Women Entrepreneurs and the Beijing Women's Federation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2004)