The slots at the Dashijiedaduhui -- or "World Metropolis²" -- centre have sparked debate in China, which officially embraces gender³ equality but where old-fashioned sexism is rife⁴ in reality.

 

The mall, in the centre of the northern port city of Dalian, has little to distinguish itself from thousands of other retail⁵ complexes that have sprouted⁶ across the country as part of a vast urbanisation drive.

 

It boasts chain clothing stores, fast food franchises⁷（特许权）, glass lifts, a cinema and the inevitable⁸ Starbucks, a favourite hangout of China's new middle class.

 

Unusually, though, the 10 spaces outside the main entrance were provided after women had trouble parking in the standard basement slots, managers said.

 

"I think this is very convenient," said user Yong Mei. "Other parking spaces are too narrow."

 

"It's not gender biased," she told AFP. "It's just that women have a few issues with vision when parking."

 

But outraged⁹ commentators¹⁰ on Chinese social media accused the mall managers of sexism and cliched thinking.

 

"This is supposed to respect women, but actually it's an insult," said one.

 

The mall managers deny the allegation. "We just wanted to make things easier for women, who make up most of our customers," said Yang Hongjun, a woman herself.

 

"It's not an insult to women at all," she added. "If their parking spaces are larger, it's only for practical reasons. It doesn't mean that women drive less well than men."

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