China and South Korea Strengthen Exchanges for Women's and Children's Welfare

Strengthening Ties: China and South Korea's Commitment to Women and Children

On January 6, 2026, a notable dialogue took place between Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Kim Hea Kyung, the spouse of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing. This meeting, held over tea, emphasized the importance of improving the welfare of women and children in both nations.

During their conversation, both Peng and Kim shared their thoughts on enhancing interpersonal exchanges and addressed shared concerns regarding the development of women and children. Peng highlighted the necessity of close interpersonal ties in fostering relations between countries and expressed her hope for increased mutual understanding between China and South Korea through more frequent interactions. Kim commended Peng's longstanding dedication to advocating for women's and children's welfare and her readiness to amplify bilateral exchanges in this critical area.

This dedicated focus on child welfare was echoed at the governmental level on the same day, as China and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at protecting children's rights and supporting their overall well-being. In the presence of the leaders of both countries, this agreement outlined collaborative efforts through political dialogue, personnel exchanges, and capacity-building programs.

A Long-standing Commitment

Peng Liyuan has made women's and children's welfare a cornerstone of her work for many years. In 2014, she was appointed as a UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, a recognition of her efforts to empower women and girls through quality education. In 2023, she co-established the initiative “Warm Hearts for Children: A Unified Action of China and Africa” alongside the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, which aimed to provide healthcare assistance to children in over 50 African nations.

China's broader commitment to supporting women's and children's development has set an exemplary standard for global progress in this sphere. The country ranks among the highest middle-income nations in key maternal and child health indicators, including maternal, infant, and under-five mortality rates. The World Health Organization has recognized China as one of the top ten countries achieving positive outcomes in maternal and child health.

Global Initiatives and Recognition

On the international stage, China has unveiled further commitments to advancing women's development worldwide. At the Global Women’s Summit in Beijing in October 2025, President Xi Jinping announced a series of new initiatives for the coming five years, including a pledge of an additional $10 million to UN Women and allocating a $100 million quota from the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to implement development cooperation projects for women and girls in partnership with international organizations. Additionally, the country plans to support 1,000 “small but beautiful” programs aimed at improving livelihoods, mainly for women and girls. Moreover, it intends to invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programs and establish a Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building.

These initiatives have drawn recognition from international organizations. Amakobe Sande, the UNICEF representative in China, noted the remarkable progress China has made in enhancing children's welfare in the Global South through a variety of development cooperation programs. Gertrude Mongella, the secretary-general of the Fourth World Conference on Women, praised China as a significant participant and contributor to global women’s development through its results-oriented cooperative efforts.

Through these exchanges and initiatives, both China and South Korea affirm their dedication to fostering welfare for women and children, setting a precedent for future collaboration and growth in this critical arena.