Liu Biwei, China's Consul general in New York, and his wife Fang Chun, held a reception to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 6. Over 200 guests were invited, which included women diplomats, women officials from New York municipal government, as well as women representative from eastern part of the US.

Liu praised the achievements made by women in modern society in his opening address. Fang said that Chinese women are “playing a full role in all walks of life” with the increasing awareness of their self-respect, self-confidence, independence and strength.

In addition, the reception also included the celebration of the Olympic Games which will be held in Beijing in 2008. Souvenirs related to the games were on display. A 30-minute documentary was shown followed by a question and answer period.

(Chen Wen, Beijing Review, reporting from New York, translated by LI YUZHU)