I once believed that gender discrimination was not a major issue in China, compared with many other countries. With so many other problems demanding urgent solutions (e.g. poverty, environmental pollution), working on gender issues was like “gilding the lily”—it was simply a luxury for China at the present stage. My failure to realize the seriousness of the gender problem China derived from at least two aspects. First, Chinese traditional culture emphasizes balance of yin I once believed that gender discrimination was not a major issue in China, compared with many other countries. With so many other problems demanding urgent solutions (eg poverty, environmental pollution), working on gender issues was like “gilding the lily” it was simply a luxury for China at the present stage. My failure to realize the seriousness of the gender problem China derived from at least two aspects. First, Chinese traditional culture emphasizes balance of yin