China marks progress in women's rights

China will strive to further improve women's welfare and rights, a senior women's affairs official pledged at a news briefing on Tuesday, pointing to the country's achievements to date in narrowing the gap between men and women.

"Chinese women have achieved more equality in exercising democratic rights, participating in social economic development and sharing the fruits of reform and development," said Song Xiuyan, vice-president of the All-China Women's Federation.

However, boosting gender equality is a "heavy and tedious" task, Song said at the briefing about developments on gender equality and women's issues held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing.