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‘Female Knights’: China mums reshape food delivery services by juggling freedom and family

On a small island off eastern China, a group of mothers is rewriting the rules of work and family life.
Known as the “Female Knights”, this…

By Samantha Johnson / May 5, 2026

On a small island off eastern China, a group of mothers is rewriting the rules of work and family life.

Known as the “Female Knights”, this determined band of women has turned food delivery into a path to financial independence and self-empowerment.

Qushan Island, in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, has a population of around 55,000. Its main industries are fishing and stone mining, and access to the outside world requires a two-hour ferry ride.

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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.

Two of the women, above, take a break from delivery duties to have some fun. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLong
Two of the women, above, take a break from delivery duties to have some fun. Photo: Photo: Xie HaiLong

However, local opportunities are limited.

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