China and South Korea Strengthen Exchanges on Welfare for Women and Children

Strengthening Ties in Women's and Children's Welfare

On January 7, 2026, an important dialogue unfolded between Peng Liyuan, the spouse of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Kim Hea Kyung, the spouse of South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, in Beijing. This conversation aimed to deepen the collaboration between China and South Korea regarding welfare policies for women and children.

During their meeting, both leaders exchanged insights on various personal and collective experiences concerning the development and well-being of women and children in their respective countries. Peng emphasized that enhancing interpersonal relationships is crucial for fostering diplomatic ties between nations. She expressed her hope for both countries to increase their interactions and mutual understanding through consistent engagement. Kim commended Peng’s enduring dedication to promoting the welfare of women and children and expressed a strong desire to propel further bilateral exchanges on these issues.

The significance of their conversation was underscored by a formal governmental agreement later that day, wherein China and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding focused on protecting children's rights and promoting their welfare. This historic agreement was witnessed by the leaders of both nations and outlined cooperative initiatives including policy dialogues, personnel exchanges, and capacity-building programs aimed at benefitting children.

Peng Liyuan's commitment to women's and children's welfare is longstanding. In 2014, she was appointed as the UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, in recognition of her efforts to empower women through quality education. In 2023, she co-founded an initiative titled “Embracing Children’s Hearts: A Joint Action of China-Africa,” in collaboration with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, which has provided healthcare assistance to children in over 50 African countries.

China's Broader Commitment

China’s extensive efforts to enhance women’s and children's welfare are notable on the global stage. The country ranks among the top performers among upper-middle-income nations in key maternal and child health indicators, such as maternal and child mortality rates. The World Health Organization has recognized China as one of the top ten countries excelling in maternal and child health.

In addition to domestic initiatives, China has made substantial international commitments to further support women's development worldwide. During the World Women’s Summit held in Beijing in October 2025, President Xi announced a series of new initiatives to provide $10 million to UN Women over the next five years. Additionally, he pledged to allocate $100 million from China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to implement cooperative development projects targeting women and girls, in association with international organizations.

Moreover, the initiatives also include inviting 50,000 women to participate in exchange and training programs in China and establishing a Global Women’s Capacity Development Center. These commitments reaffirm China’s dedication to improving the livelihoods and opportunities for women and children domestically and internationally.

International organizations have recognized China's contributions in this area. Amakobe Sande, UNICEF's Representative in China, noted the remarkable progress made in improving child welfare in the Global South through various development cooperation programs. Furthermore, Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the Fourth World Conference on Women, praised China for its significant role in global women's development, emphasizing the practical and results-oriented nature of its cooperation.

In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between China and South Korea on women and children's welfare mark an essential step towards enhancing the quality of life for these vulnerable groups through mutual support and shared objectives.