World

Xi Jinping’s Summit Call: Can China Bridge the Gender Gap in Politics?

Xi Jinping urged more women in politics at a summit. Despite progress, women’s roles in China‘s top politics declined.

October 13, 2025, 8:11 AM

Close-up portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping wearing a dark suit and red tie, smiling slightly against a bright blue background.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is captured in a close-up portrait during a press conference held after a meeting with the German Chancellor in Berlin. By 360b / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increased representation of women in politics and government at a global women’s summit in Beijing, linking it to gender equality and societal development.

This call contrasts with a significant decline in women’s presence in China’s senior political roles, including the absence of women in the 2022 Politburo and its standing committee.

International bodies like the United Nations and various experts have expressed concern over this trend, with the UN recommending statutory quotas for China to achieve equal representation.

The Story So Far

President Xi Jinping’s recent call for greater female political representation at a global summit occurs amidst a notable decline in women’s presence within China’s highest political echelons under his leadership, a trend that has drawn concern from the United Nations and academic experts. This context highlights a potential tension between official rhetoric and the actual implementation of gender equality in governance, particularly as China faces demographic challenges and President Xi has emphasized women’s critical role in family harmony.

Why This Matters

President Xi Jinping’s public call for greater female representation in politics, while presented at a global summit, stands in stark contrast to the observed decline of women in China’s highest political echelons, including the politburo, drawing scrutiny from international bodies and academics. This discrepancy raises questions about the actual implementation of gender equality within China, especially as the administration simultaneously emphasizes women’s roles in addressing critical demographic challenges like the declining birth rate.

Who Thinks What?

President Xi Jinping advocates for increased representation of women in politics and decision-making to ensure gender equality is “truly internalised” and emphasizes women’s critical role in family and national development.

The United Nations, academics, and activists express concern over the declining presence of women in China’s senior political roles and elite government positions, recommending statutory quotas to accelerate equal representation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for increased representation of women in politics and government on Monday at a global women’s summit in Beijing, emphasizing that such a move would ensure gender equality is “truly internalised” within society. The two-day event, held in conjunction with UN Women at the China National Convention Center, aims to advance women’s development and gender equality globally.

President Xi’s Address

During his address, President Xi stated that countries must “broaden channels for women to participate in political and decision-making, and promote women’s broad participation in national and social governance.” He also underscored that peace and stability are fundamental prerequisites for the comprehensive development of women.

The “Global leaders meeting on women” has drawn attendance from several international leaders, including those from Iceland, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Dominica, and Mozambique, according to state media reports.

Contrasting Realities

China has achieved significant progress in women’s education, with women constituting approximately 50 percent of students in higher education and around 43 percent of the total employed population. However, this progress appears to stand in contrast with the declining presence of women in senior political roles.

In 2022, for the first time in two decades, no woman was included among the 24 members of China’s politburo, nor among the seven members of its standing committee. This trend has raised concerns about the actual implementation of gender equality in high-level governance.

International and Expert Concerns

The United Nations expressed concern in 2023 regarding the absence of women in China’s top leadership. It recommended that China consider adopting statutory quotas and a gender parity system to accelerate equal representation of women in government.

Academics and activists assert that President Xi’s decade as the Communist Party’s general secretary has coincided with a decrease in the number of women in politics and elite government positions, alongside a reported widening of gender gaps in the workforce.

Women’s Role in Society

In 2023, President Xi remarked that women play a critical role and must establish a “new trend of family.” This statement comes as China faces demographic challenges, including an aging population and a record decline in its birth rate.

He further elaborated that effective work concerning women’s issues is not only vital for women’s individual development but also intrinsically linked to “family harmony, social harmony, national development and national progress.”

Key Takeaways

President Xi’s call for greater female political representation at the summit highlights China’s stated commitment to gender equality. Yet, this rhetoric is set against a backdrop of observed declines in women’s presence within the country’s highest political echelons, drawing scrutiny from international bodies and domestic observers.