China on Wednesday issued a white paper titled Gender Equality and Women's Development in China, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women.

    "It has always been a basic state policy of China to promote equality between men and women," says the white paper, issued by the Information Office of China's State Council.

    China is a developing country with the largest population in the world. Of its total population of 1.3 billion, women account for about half. The promotion of gender equality and the overall development of women is not only of great significance for China's development, it also has a special influence on the efforts for the advancement of mankind, it says.

    The white paper gives account of women's equal rights with men,and women's development in nine aspects, including politics, economy, culture, society and family life.

    The white paper says that China now has built a complete legal system to protect women's rights, and to promote gender equality. Central and local treasury departments have increased their inputs in the development of women year by year and optimized the allocation of resources to facilitate women's development.

    The white paper says that the government has taken effective measures to eliminate poverty of rural women. From 2001 to 2004, the state granted a total of 13.52 billion yuan (1.65 billion US dollars) in small-sum credit loans to rural households and more than half of the loans went to women.

    Women's ability to be involved in the management of state and social affairs has been strengthened, says the white paper. At present, China has three vice chairwomen in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a female vice premier and a female state councilor at the State Council.