The spirit of toughness with gentleness

Images of female officials can reflect the characteristics of an era. In China, things that reflect female characteristics were once regarded as vulgar interests. Short hair, blue-black uniforms and serious facial expressions previously characterized the standard image of female officials.

Wu Wenying, the former minister of textile industry, visited Zibo in Shandong Province in 1984, wearing a yellow close-fitting coat and skirt with smooth lines, causing a sensation at that time.

As Chinese society become more open, Chinese female officials have showed their love of beauty in public through dressing. China's Fellowship of Female Mayors was founded in 1991, with 100 female mayors and vice mayors gathering in Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province. Wu Yi, vice mayor of Beijing at that time, wore a Qipao during a dinner party.

"Wu Yi has always been an elegant dresser, turning out with fashionable hairstyles on any public occasion," the media reported. "I pay much attention to my appearance in public functions concerning foreign affairs because I represent the image of Chinese women; it is not a personal issue," Wu Yi told the press.

Liu Yandong, vice chairwoman of the CPPCC National Committee and minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Hong Kong in May 2004. Liu changed her suits four times in one day on different occasions, according to Hong Kong's media reports. The female official showed her respect to the people of Hong Kong as well as her open and warm manner. She has conformed to the international practices for social activities, said some image experts from Hong Kong.

In July 2004, an image advisor was invited to instruct more than 80 female ministers about how to dress up appropriately. Nowadays, the Chinese female officials always dress well with beautiful haircuts and warm smiles during public occasions.

The female officials in the new era have not been so tough; they often show their gentle side.

"Women have made the political world humane," said a western politician. Female officials with independent characters, subtleness and mildness, toughness and gentleness as well as dignity will play more important roles in the political arena.

Female delegates accounted for 20.2 percent in the 10th National People's Congress in 2003; the number increased to 22 percent in the 11th National People's Congress which is now in session between March 5-18. The proportion was decided at the session of the National People's Congress last March, which indicates China's attention and support to women's participation in political affairs, because the country has realized it still has a long way to go before catching up with general global trends.

(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong, Zhou Jing, Yang Xi and Zhang Tingting, March 8, 2008)