State feminism as enforced by the Chinese Communist Party after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, has brought enormous progress concerning the participation of Chinese women in all spheres of life. With the Economic reforms of the post-Mao era setbacks and regressions in terms of gender equality can be identified though.

This study takes a look at feminism in China over the last century and reveals that feminist movements and arguments at most times have been linked to the nation’s development. Independent and mass feminist movements like those in the West never developed in China. By taking a look at the realities of women and women images in contemporary China, the study shows that feminism in the People’s Republic of China has still plenty of room for development.