Scarlett Li, CEO of Zebra Media. [Photo/China Daily]

"I do believe that marriage and family are not the only way women can show value now. Women of the 21st century are becoming more and more independent. They too can work independently and realize their potential, as men have done."

Dominic King, global economics and research manager at Grant Thornton in London, who worked on the Women in Business Survey, said one of the reasons that women are playing a strong role in management in China is the strong childcare infrastructure that is common in emerging market economies.

"People tend to stay near their families so their parents can look after the children, enabling women to go out to work. What we are seeing in China is these extended family units breaking down with people moving to the cities. This might make things more difficult for women in the future."

However, at the Media Creative Park, entrepreneur Scarlett Li said China is not necessarily such a benign environment for female entrepreneurs.

The 43-year-old founder and CEO of Zebra Media, which stages high-profile musical festivals, insists she has often faced open prejudice.

"I had dinner recently with a man from a very famous venture capital company in China and he told me straight to my face that he would not invest in any female-led business," she said.

"It is not the first time this has happened either. The first time was from a woman venture capitalist. At least they said it to my face. If I meet with another 20 VCs, they might not give me the real reason."

Li accepts such reactions are not necessarily discrimination but purely commercial.

"I think it comes down to economic calculation. They are working on the assumption that at some point you might have children, so the business won't be your main focus.

"You have to be strong in China as a female executive because your mother, your family and your peer group will tell you your main responsibilities are marriage and children."