A female Microsoft employee won the "Rose Queen" title at an unusual matchmaking event held this week for whitecollar workers.

Whether she found Mr Right wasn't immediately clear, however. "I did get to meet some excellent men during the party," said the "queen," who received 29 rose "votes" from the 58 men in attendance.

The 25-year-old, who declined to reveal her name, said she attended the event because she is too busy with her work to find time to make new friends.

The matchmaking party, held at Metro City in Xujiahui, Shanghai attracted 116 single office workers ranging in age from 23 to 40. "They all work in our building," said Wang Feiyue, manager of Shanghai Huimei Property Co Ltd, which runs Metro City and organized the party.

"The employees in our building work mainly for international companies like Microsoft and Exxon Mobil," Wang said. "So they are very busy and have limited social time."

Wu Jia, 25, agreed the event presented a good chance to meet new people. Wu works for an international trading company where a gender imbalance makes it hard for her to find a boyfriend.

"I always have to work overtime and have a limited social circle," she said. Wu said she received several name cards during an activity called "Face to Face," in which each man had 30 seconds to introduce himself to the women one by one. "I have a good impression about one man, though we didn't give each other any contact information," Wu said.

"But I'm sure he will look for me later." Jim Zhu, associate director of Yum Restaurants China said his company sent 15 employees to the party.

"Our firm has more than 60 percent female employees aged 25 to 35," Zhu said. "We encouraged them to attend." Zhu said employees who have a happy life will be more.

(eastday.com June 3, 2005)