Shenhua is a Taiwanese assassin in the employ of Mr. Chang. She prefers to use various edged weapons in close combat, in particular a pair of kukri knives linked together with a length of leather rope at the handles. She is also skilled in the use of throwing knives. Shenhua is a professional rival of Revy, whom she has worked with and against at times. Her personal religion is Taoism. One of her most notable traits is her broken speech pattern, which is always moving between Chinese and English. This can be compared to Shampoo from Ranma 1/2.

It is unknown if Shenhua has any unarmed hand-to-hand skills, although it seems likely. In the anime she fights only with blades, and never engages anyone in true hand-to-hand combat.