China's two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Zheng Jie on Monday was named Promoter of Gender Equality as a part of the WTA Tour's partnership with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

In this role she joins fellow WTA Tour stars Venus Williams from the United States and Tatiana Golovin of France, who were previously named as Promoters of Gender Equality for the program in November 2006 and May 2007, respectively.

Zheng, a winner of three singles and 10 doubles titles on the WTA Tour, has already established herself as a role model for women and girls in China and throughout the world.

The 24-year-old from west China's Cheng Du, alongside compatriot Yan Zi, wrote a piece of tennis history in 2006 by becoming China's first-ever Grand Slam champions, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles crowns.

"I am truly honored to be serving as a Promoter of Gender Equality, especially being the first one from China," said Zheng.

"I take the job as a role model very seriously, and I am looking forward to helping young girls and women in my country and around the world to gain better opportunities to succeed in whatever they wish to do. I hope that I can make a difference on this very important issue."

In her new role as the promoter, Zheng will raise awareness of gender quality issues at both a national and global level, and have a direct involvement in women's leadership programs to be developed in China and internationally through the UNESCO-WTA Tour partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2007)