China opens national women's congress

BEIJING - The 11th National Women's Congress which is expected to draw a blueprint for the development of Chinese women in the coming five years, began Monday morning in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other senior leaders including Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attended the opening of the congress at the Great Hall of the People.

The once-every-five-year congress will hear and discuss a work report by the 10th Executive Committee of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), deliberate and adopt amendments to the federation's constitution, and elect the 11th ACWF Executive Committee.