URUMQI, July 22, 2008 -- Woman account for nearly half of Communist Party members and government officials in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to the latest report from the Xinjiang branch of the All-China Women's Federation.

The number of female officials has been rising over the past five years and reached 330,700 at the end of last year, accounting for 49.16 percent of the total, the branch said. That was an 11.22 percent rise from 2003.

"Many women who have both ability and political integrity were put into leading positions, which enhanced women's participation in various sectors," said Wang Jianling, vice chairwoman of the Xinjiang branch of the federation.

The Chinese government has taken economic, legal and administrative measures to ensure that women enjoy equal rights with men in such areas as politics, the economy, culture, social affairs and family life.

About 350 million urban and rural women are employed, accounting for 45 percent of the employed population. In urban areas, more than 40 million women are employed, comprising 38 percent of total urban employment, according to official statistics. In rural areas, women make up more than 60 percent of the labor force.

Women also comprise more than 20 percent of the entrepreneurs in China. Among the professionals in the state-owned enterprises and organizations, women account for more than 40 percent.