New Zealand to strengthen ties with China in empowering women

New Zealand Women's Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is hoping to strengthen links with China in helping women achieve economic independence when she attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and Economy Forum in Beijing this week. "New Zealand has a strong reputation internationally on gender equality. This is an opportunity to share our work -- at the highest level -- to improve the lives of women across our region, and to learn from other economies," Goodhew said in a statement Monday. "My attendance at this meeting will also strengthen our bilateral relationship with China and supports our participation in APEC." The forum, from May 21 to 23, is a ministerial-level meeting with a focus on developing policy recommendations for women and innovative economic growth. It will focus on strategies and actions for promoting women's participation in three key areas: women and green development; women and regional economic and trade cooperation and policy support and women's economic empowerment.