BEIJING -- Li Zhiyong, vice head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Tuesday he would actively suggest that the central authorities increase the ratio of women in legislatures and political advisory bodies.
He made the remarks while attending a panel discussion of political advisors from women federations at the ongoing annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"It's true that there is a low ratio of women in politics," he said.
According to Li, the current ratio is lower than that of the Soviet Areas -- territories the CPC occupied before it came to power nationally in 1949 -- in the 1930s, and ranks below the world's top 50.
In some developed countries in northern Europe, the ratio of women in politics is generally around 40 percent. In some African countries, like South Africa and Botswana, nearly half of the cabinet members are women, the official said.
Li said he recognizes the political competence of female lawmakers and political advisors and a lot needs to be done to safeguard women's rights. And their rights to participate in state affairs is an important one.
