A conference in Beijing on Wednesday commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the fifth anniversary of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.

The event, with the theme "Women and Poverty Reduction in the 21st Century", was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping and a UNESCO special envoy for the promotion of girls' and women's education, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, undersecretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UN Women, addressed the international event in prerecorded speeches.

All-China Women's Federation President Shen Yueyue addressed it in person.

Shen, also vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, said half of the 700 million people who have escaped extreme poverty in China since 1949 have been women, and they have also been a force in leading others out of impoverishment.

Speakers also included Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. They delivered keynote speeches via video links.