China - 4th UN World Conference On Women Opens

(4 Sep 1995) T/I: 10:11:44 10:23:30 The Fourth UN World Conference on Women was formally opened in Beijing on Monday (4/9) with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. During the ceremony, Chinese President Jiang Zemin welcomed heads of state, diplomats and thousands of delegates from 181 countries to the conference, the world's largest ever gathering of women. UN representative Ismat Kittani, said that for centuries women had been given less than their due. The conference's secretary general, Gertrude Mongella, was cheered as she reminded the audience that women "are not guests on this planet. This planet belongs to them too." Conflict marred the opening as a group of Palestinian women staged a demonstration outside the parallel Non Governmental Organisation Forum at Huairou about an hours drive from Beijing. SHOWS: BEIJING, 4/9; l/s Great Hall of the People in main square; crowds; c/a flags; pullout photo-op Chinese President Jiang Zemin posing with delegates; Zemin seated and addressing vs women dignitaries; c/a African delegates ; m/s Jiang; cu Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's Prime Minister; w/s conference podium; ceiling of Great Hall; music at opening ceremony; c/a applause; chinese opera; acrobatics; Jiang among crowds applauding; w/s podium; UN envoy Ismat Kittani sot "You are hosts to a conference that seeks to unite not divide. (c/a Jiang) You have invested in it great care of detail. You have invited the world to your capital and the world is grateful." c/a delegates; Conference Secretary-General, Gertrude Mongella sot "We are all witnessing a historic moment - a moment which is characterised by unprecedented solidarity. This solidarity is reflected in one principle which is not to be compromised - this is the principle of equality between human beings - the principle of equality between men and women." delegates applauding ; HUAIROU, 4/9; protest march by palestinian women; cu protesters; palestinian flag; chinese security officer stopping march; security guard blocking camera; pullin security man taking photos of protesters; chinese with camcorder ; chinese security man taking photos of protesters; int conference hall; woman making speech on podium; women displaying protest banners on stage; 4.01 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...