Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was elected president of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) on Friday.

Chen, 65, was elected at the first plenary session of the 10th Executive Committee of the federation through a secret ballot to replace former president Gu Xiulian, 71.

She told Xinhua reporters in an exclusive interview that as a leading legislator, she would promote the legislation work concerning the principles of "gender equality and children first", and monitor the implementation of laws on the protection of women and children's rights and interests.

Chen said that families would play important roles in building a harmonious society. She would lead women across the country to improve family members' education and their sense of social responsibilities, and guide them to attend more cultural activities and meet their needs for a better cultural life.

She urged officials with women's federations at all levels to strive to achieve the goals of helping women to involve more in the country's economic, political, cultural and social construction, and to better protect the rights and interests of women and children.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2008)