Australian Former Prime Minister, Chairperson of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Julia Gillard visited Beijing from October 21st to 22nd at the invitation of CPAFFC.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with Gillard on Oct. 22nd in Zhong Nanhai. Liu pointed out that early childhood education (ECE) is a global concern. She briefed Gillard the achievements China had made in this field, and called for international collaboration to further promote the popularization and quality of ECE in China. Gillard said that GPE would actively develop tangible cooperation with China. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin attended the meeting.

The main purpose for Gillard’s visit to China was to attend The Fourth International Conference on Poverty Reduction and Child Development which was co-hosted by China Development Research Foundation, Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood and “Every Woman Every Child” China Partnership Network. The theme of this conference was “A Bright Start for Every Child”. Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Gillard introduced in her speech the progress GPE had made to help children in developing countries to receive early childhood education.

Gillard also called on Madam Fu Ying, Chairperson of The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress. Gillard introduced the work of GPE and discussed with Fu of the future cooperation between the two organizations.