Ma backs female entrepreneurs

The rapid development of new technology and the widespread use of the Internet will help more Chinese women to become entrepreneurs, a conference packed with famous names was told on Wednesday.

However, they will face more difficulties than their male peers, such as the challenge of maintaining a good work-life balance and prejudice in the business world.

"In the future, China's economy will be mainly driven by the service industry. Women, who by nature are more considerate than their male counterparts, will definitely play a larger part," said Jack Ma, the billionaire executive chairman of Alibaba Group, the world's largest e-commerce company by business volume.