Women CEOs driving technological innovation

Around 6.4 percent of listed companies in China have women chief executive officers, higher than the average of 5.2 percent in developed countries, says a recent study.

The Morgan Stanley Capital International study also says that the number of women on the boards of directors in China rose to 13.8 percent in 2021. The proportion of women CEOs and CFOs in China is higher than the global average.

This ever-rising proportion of women executives is injecting vigorous development vitality in China's listed companies. According to a report released by Nankai University, from 2012 to 2021, companies with a higher proportion of women directors have performed better financially. Women's innate empathy and communication skills are helping companies reduce conflict, reach consensus and improve corporate governance, and China's continuous improvement in education equity and protection of women's rights have helped women perform better in their careers.

By exercising their democratic rights in accordance with the law, participating in economic and social development, and enjoying the fruits of reform and development, women have increased their sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

Compared with last year, there are more than 30 new faces in "China's Top 100 Women in Business 2022" list released recently by Forbes China, with the medicine, technology and retail sectors accounting for half of them.

With the advent of the knowledge-based and innovation era, women have gained greater opportunities to show their talent. In particular, in frontier scientific research, many women are exerting their talent in key positions and promoting technological innovation and its application.

A series of measures introduced by the State in recent years, from implementing an action plan for women in scientific and technological innovation to supporting women's scientific and technological talents to play a bigger role in scientific and technological innovation, are stimulating this change. The integrated development of various industries apart, this phenomenon is making women hold up half of the sky in promoting high-quality development.

The rapid progress of science and technology, the constantly improving social security system and a more inclusive social environment have also provided more space for Chinese women to give full play to their self-worth. As China embarks on the new journey of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), it is believed that with the support of a better policy and social environment, women will have an even brighter future in China.