All-China Women's Federation held a reception event on Friday evening in Beijing to welcome the International Women's Day falling on Saturday.

State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also president of the federation, delivered a speech at the reception, saying that the year of 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, and countries and regions will gather in Beijing to discuss major issues concerning women's development of the world in the second half of this year.

She said that China, together with all parties of the world, will build and share a more friendly and beautiful world to all women and people worldwide.

About 1,000 females from China's all walks of life and female representatives from international organizations and foreign embassies attended the reception.

The reception highlighted a classic ballet drama named "The Red Detachment of Women" by the National Ballet of China. Based on true stories of an all-female special company of the Chinese Red Army around 1930s, the ballet drama tells the liberation of a farmer girl Qionghua and her growth into a soldier of revolution, showing the perseverance of Chinese women.

Luo Hongbo, head nurse of intensive care unit of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said she was very honored and pleased to attend the reception. She said that 71 percent of the ICU staff members are women who are mostly nurses. 

"Nursing is a laborious job which requires higher strength. I'm honored that my female colleagues all do a great job," the 41-year-old said, adding that her female team was recognized as March 8th Red-Banner Collective this year for the group's outstanding performance.

Soprano Wu Bixia, the March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter, said it was a great honor for her to attend the reception and watch the ballet drama. She also sent blessings to females, wishing them good health and a happy life.