Yes and no. No where in the world is it a totally equal playing field nor do I ever expect it to be.

My understanding is that the average pay gap here is actually smaller than it is in the states. But then again marriage assets in divorces are split up in a way that is no where near equitably.

I'd say in general, the sexes are legal equally represented. But culturally miles apart.

On some things it is amazing what power many women in China have. In many relationships I know (not mine because we pretty much share everthing and my partner has more assets than me) the women controls the finances even though the hisband is the breadwinner. On the other hand some men treat their partner like almost their servant and she is only there to bear a child and do the cooking. In China it is like there are two extreme examples that can be used to answer this question.

I've known several women who didn't go to grad school, or who went to grad school but didn't get their doctorates, because they were afraid they would never attract a man. I know one divorce that was initiated by a man (who happily never saw his young daughter again) because the wife insisted on going to grad school. I've known women who have quit high-paying jobs in favour of teaching because their worthless husbands "lost face" by making less than the wives.