China's female innovators shine in Hangzhou

Women make up 55 percent of all entrepreneurs and innovators in China's internet-related industries, according to the All-China Women's Federation.

The figure was included in a speech by Song Xiuyan, the federation's vice-president, at the final of China's inaugural Women's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition.

Of the employed population nationwide, 45 percent are female, she added.

The competition saw more than 560,000 women age 18 to 81 compete in diverse fields, including education, modern agriculture, social services, and cultural and creative services.

Participants included women with top educational backgrounds, as well as laidoff workers and rural women.

The final was held on Wednesday in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province and the so-called city of innovation.

"We will do more to provide platforms to help and encourage women to create colorful lives," Song said.

The winners:

Zhou Jialin won the Best Creative Award for her palm leaf weaving, an intangible heritage handicraft.

Li Xueli won the Most Commercially Valuable Project Award for her smart payment platform for medical services.

Qiao Xue won the Best Social Effect Award for her traditional leather products, which she sells online.

Sun Ying won the Environmental Protection and Creation Award for her ID and positioning system based on stereoscopic vision.