[1] On a small island off the eastern coast of China, a group of mothers is changing the norms of work and family life. Known as the “Female Knights,” this determined group of women has transformed food delivery into a means of achieving financial independence and self-empowerment.
[2] Qushan Island, in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, has a population of around 55,000. Its main industries are fishing and stone mining. Access to the outside world requires a two-hour ferry ride. While most men work at sea or in the city, many women who moved here with their husbands seek part-time jobs that allow them to balance family life and earning a living. However, local opportunities are limited.
[3] Shipyards and oil factories primarily hire men, leaving these women – often with lower education and caregiving duties – stuck in low-paying, temporary jobs such as making fishing nets or working in restaurants. Workers reportedly earn only one yuan for tearing a 10-metre fishing net, and weaving a crab net takes an hour, yielding just 5 to 8 yuan (HK$5.70 to HK$9.20).
[4] But over the past year, several female food delivery riders, averaging 40 years old, have transformed the local work scene. Out of the 14 full-time riders on the island, nine are women, known as the “Female Knights”. Leading them is 29-year-old Chen Lirong, known as the “Car Goddess” for her speed and steady control of her electric bike. She prioritises shifts that suit mothers, quietly taking late-night orders herself. Chen told China Youth Daily that because she has two daughters, the first question she was asked when applying for jobs in the past was, “Who takes care of your children?” For her, food delivery offers a level playing field: no barriers to entry, flexible hours, and a chance to balance work with family.
[5] Another team member, Hu Yingrong, 46, previously worked in a fishing net factory. Now, she delivers up to 189 orders a day. Reports show that her average monthly income has risen to 8,000 yuan (HK$9,244), several times what she earned at the factory. Initially overwhelmed by the complexity of the routes and the number of orders, Hu quickly adapted, learning from Chen and engaging with customers. She soon earned the title of “order champion”. For Hu, the real reward is the control she now has over her time.
[6] At 44, Wang Jinrong is the team’s “happy soul,” bringing joy with her infectious laughter. After moving to the island with her husband, she suffered years of domestic abuse. A few years ago, Wang divorced and took on the responsibility of raising four children alone. As a food delivery rider, she found support from her teammates, who helped by swapping shifts to give her more time for her family.
[7] What started as a group of strangers, isolated by dialect barriers and limited social circles, has evolved into a tight-knit sisterhood. In their free time, they help each other with make-up, share orders when business is slow and guide new riders. After payday, they head to the island’s only cafe to celebrate. The islanders have also come to recognise this efficient group of female riders. When they see them on the road, locals greet them by name.
Source: South China Morning Post, May 8
