The Women of the World Festival made its first appearance in China over the weekend at Beijing's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

The festival, also known as WOW, is a global movement launched in London in 2010 to celebrate the achievements women have made across the world.

The two-day event included a series of talks, mentoring events, workshops, and even an under-10's feminist corner.

Prominent women in the fields of art, industry and innovation were there to offer support and guidance, and discuss topics such as art, health, pop culture, career advice, family, education, beauty, fashion and the economy. Secrets and pains were shared, and questions over gender roles were answered and discussed.

At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the UK's first female ambassador to China, Dame Barbara Woodward, shared her stories of growth and career achievement, and reaffirmed her support for WOW.

Jude Kelly, artistic director of London's Southbank Centre and the founder of WOW, opened the first panel discussion session, with the theme of "The Global View: Why Should We Care for Women."

Kelly was joined by Julia Broussard, Country Coordinator of the UN Women China, Professor Sun Xiaomei from China Women's University, writer and publisher Hong Huang, and multiple award-winning dancer Wang Yabin.

Apart from sharing her childhood stories, Kelly also spoke about her original desire to launch WOW.

"There are a lot of conferences around the world about gender equality. And those conferences are attended by professionals who work in the field. But this is a festival for all girls and women, and boys and men, to come along informally on the Saturday and Sunday and find out from women telling own stories, what experiences there are, for good and for bad. And it is very different from a conference. You are here to not only hear stories, but you have your own story," Jude Kelly said.

With an overarching theme of "Be Your Better Self", WOW Beijing aims to provide an open creative platform for Chinese women, helping them to receive support and strength, and more importantly, to have women's voices heard.

This is only the beginning and Kelly is looking forward to seeing this initiative expand and thrive.

"We are already talking about having WOW Beijing next year. But I will be excited if WOW happens in lots of other places in China too. China is the most incredible country, one of the great countries in the world. So if Chinese women and Chinese men can move forward and make progress, then the world will be a better place," Kelly said.

In the past seven years, the Women of the World festival has been held in 20 cities across five continents. More than a million people have participated in the globe's most influential cultural gathering for women.

Now China has joined in this big family, we hope to see the next generation of Chinese girls and women being encouraged and inspired.