Beijing Women's Federation

To further study and implement important discourses by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping and follow the proposals by the United Nations on promoting family's harmony, happiness and development, to mark this year's International Day of Families, Beijing Women's Federation (BWF), the Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government, and Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges held an event at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People, in Beijing on May 13.

Themed "science and technology empowers families toward the building of a beautiful life," the event brought together over 200 Chinese and foreign people working and living in the capital city. It comprised various activities including experience of technological innovations and handicraft production.

The annual event has been held for 13 years straight and has become an important platform for Chinese people in Beijing to strengthen their friendship with and understanding of people from other countries.

A ceremony is held in Beijing to mark this year's International Day of Families.

Appreciating Strength of Science, Technology

Attending Chinese and foreign families took part in parent-child activities, which included immersive experience of AI robots, remote sensors for aviation science popularization, and low-carbon engines, to explore the magic of science and help them become interested in science.

Attendees’ participation in the interactive activities has further deepened friendship between Chinese families and their foreign counterparts and showcased the vitality of Beijing as an international sci-tech innovation center.

During an interview, Hou Ning and his family, an awardee of National Most Beautiful Family, said that the themed event has been integrated with amusement and knowledge and that it is meaningful for them to spend International Day of Families in this way.

Chinese children and their foreign peers appreciate the magic of science and technology during the themed event.

Cultural Exchanges Deepens Friendship

A Chinese martial arts performance and a shadow play show helped attending families from China and other countries learn the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Participants followed women inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to learn traditional Chinese handicrafts such as paper-cutting, printing and the making of circular fans, which enhanced the friendship between families from different countries.

Jorge Octavio Fernández Montes, a CGTN anchor from Mexico, said that he and his family have attended popular science games, taken part in the making of traditional Chinese handicrafts and learned more about Chinese family culture.

Chinese children and their foreign peers experience traditional Chinese culture and handicrafts during the themed event.

Promoting the Building of Child-friendly City through Concerted Efforts

During the event, an exhibition reviewed extraordinary moments from previous celebratory events for International Day of Families, introduced a program that aims to help empower girls with science and technology, and publicized the concept of building a child-friendly city.

The girl-empowerment program is a special initiative launched by the BWF to encourage young women to pursue achievements in science and technology. Results of some scientific projects carried by women students, such as “plants growing capsule” in space and smart parking systems, were displayed during the exhibition. There was an activity for participants to experience Beijing's development from a child’s perspective, calling for more people to take part in the building of a child-friendly city, protect children's lawful rights and interests, and promote children’s all-round development.

A family take part in the event.

The themed event was undertaken by the Beijing Women's International Exchange Center and the Haidian District Women's Federation with the support of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People, Beijing Normal University, the Beijing Smart Lady Handicrafts Development Association, the Beijing Association of Marriage and Family Development, the Beijing School Sports Federation and Shuangyushu No.1 Primary School (in Haidian district).