A news conference held on Feb 28 by the Harbin municipal government discusses a plan for the development of women and children. [Photo/China Radio International]

Harbin will issue a plan covering the period 2016-2020 relating to the development of women and children, according to a news conference held on Feb 28.

Lan Feng, from the working committee of Harbin Women and Children, claimed at the news conference that the Harbin government has long attached great importance to the development of women and children.

"Harbin has fully implemented the basic state policy of gender equality and giving more care to children,” said Lan.

"Harbin issued a development plan for 2011-2015 in 2012 and has made a good start,” she said.

"The drafting of a plan for 2016-2020 began in August 2016 and was approved on Jan 9, 2017 at a municipal government executive meeting,” she added.

According to the plan, Harbin will strive to eliminate gender discrimination, enforce equal pay for equal work, and provide special protections at work to female employees.

Meanwhile, the government urged more protection to women and children through increasing their legal rights, and creating an environment that promotes respect for women and the proper care of children.