On Monday, January 5, 2026, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, welcomed Kim Hea Kyung, wife of President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, for a tea chat in Beijing. Over cups of 🍵, they dove into ways to bring the Chinese and ROK people closer, with a special focus on women and children.
Peng emphasized that strong people-to-people ties are the heart of solid state relations. "Through more exchanges, our societies can truly understand and support each other," she noted. Kim praised Peng's decades-long dedication to women's and children's welfare and expressed her eagerness to deepen collaboration in education, health, and cultural programs 👭🧒.
That same day, leaders from China and the ROK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to protect children's rights and boost their well-being. The agreement, witnessed by both presidents, lays out joint policy dialogues, personnel exchanges, and capacity-building programs to ensure brighter futures for young people.
Peng's passion for empowering girls and women isn't new. In 2014, UNESCO named her Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education. More recently, in 2023 she co-launched the "Warm Children's Hearts" initiative with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, bringing health aid to children in over 50 African countries 🌍❤️.
Beyond bilateral efforts, China is setting global benchmarks in maternal and child health. The country ranks among the top upper-middle-income nations for key indicators like maternal and infant mortality rates, earning recognition from the World Health Organization as a high performer in child welfare.
At the Global Summit of Women in Beijing in October 2025, President Xi announced fresh commitments: $10 million for UN Women, $100 million in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for women and girls' projects, 50,000 women invited for exchanges, and a new Global Center for Women's Capacity Building.
These moves have earned praise worldwide. UNICEF's Representative to China, Amakobe Sande, applauded China's impact in the Global South, while Gertrude Mongella, secretary-general of the Fourth World Conference on Women, hailed China as a key player in global women's development. 🤝✨
As China and the ROK deepen their welfare ties, young women and children across both societies have reason to celebrate. With stronger cooperation, the next generation stands to gain new opportunities, health protections, and a brighter path forward.
Reference(s):
China, ROK to strengthen exchanges on welfare for women and children
cgtn.com
