Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, met in Beijing on Oct 15 with Sindisiwe Chikunga, South Africa's minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, who was in China to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.
Cheng welcomed the delegation and outlined the recent progress made in China's disability affairs.
He noted that the Chinese government has always upheld a people-centered development philosophy and has incorporated disability affairs into the national economic and social development plans.
China has strengthened its protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities through legislation, while continuously improving their access to public services in education, employment and other areas, according to Cheng.
He added that public understanding, respect and support for this group has grown significantly across society. China has also prioritized empowering people with disabilities with new technologies, to ensure they can enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological progress, he said.
Cheng highlighted the government's efforts to promote the development of women with disabilities, including the launch of the Beautiful Crafts Workshop employment initiative, which has enabled tens of thousands them to improve their lives through handicraft.
Noting that South Africa is an important partner in both Belt and Road cooperation and South-South cooperation, Cheng expressed the hope that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, both sides would deepen their exchanges, expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in disability affairs and jointly promote equality, inclusion and shared development for persons with disabilities.
For her part, Chikunga congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and commended the country for its achievements in safeguarding the rights and interests of persons with disabilities.
She expressed interest in learning from China's experience and in advancing cooperation in areas such as disability assessment, data collection and assistive technologies to enhance the wellbeing of persons with disabilities.