On Dec 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Zhou Changkui, chairperson of the Board of Executive Directors of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), met with a delegation led by Martin Williamson, president of the World Blind Union (WBU).The delegation was in Beijing for the Asia-Pacific information accessibility and assistive technology seminar. The meeting was also attended by Vice-Chairperson of the CDPF Li Dongmei and President of the China Association of Persons with Visual Disabilities Li Qingzhong.
Zhou welcomed Williamson and his delegation to China, and praised the key role of the WBU in advocating for the rights and welfare of persons with visual disabilities. He emphasized that the Chinese government places great importance on the welfare of persons with disabilities, incorporating disability-related initiatives into the country's overall economic and social development plans. China has been continuously improving the social security and support systems for people with disabilities, establishing systems such as living allowance for the financially-challenged disabled population and nursing care subsidies for those living with severe disabilities, as well as lifting disabled persons in rural areas out of poverty, according to Zhou.
Zhou also highlighted the government's efforts in promoting the construction of barrier-free environments and in prioritizing information accessibility and assistive technologies.
He expressed the CDPF's willingness to strengthen communication and collaboration with the WBU to make positive contributions to the development of international disability affairs.
Williamson lauded China's significant achievements in the disability sector and China's progress in disability rights, expressing hope that China would share its successful experiences in disability services with other countries.
After the meeting, Zhou visited the assistive devices exhibition held alongside the Asia-Pacific information accessibility and assistive technology seminar. The meeting was also attended by officials from the China Association of Persons with Visual Disabilities, the International Department of the CDPF, and the China Braille Press.