Equal opportunity comes to Chinese pageant scene with men’s beauty contest

BEIJING – China, which is awash with pageants for women, now plans to arrange a beauty contest for men, triggering huge interest from local males increasingly focused on their looks, state media said yesterday.

Outward appearance is only one quality to be tested in the competition, slated for November, as titles include not just Mr China, but also Mr Honest, Mr Wisdom and even Mr Welfare, the Beijing Weekend newspaper reported. “It is a precious chance to show the world the healthy, brilliant and handsome image of today’s Chinese men,” said Ren Qiao, an official organising the contest.The perfect male would be someone with the body of Sylvester Stallone, the intelligence of Stephen Hawking and the money of Bill Gates, the paper said.But in order not to narrow the field too much, the bar has been lowered and anyone who is at least 175 centimetres tall and willing to pay 100 yuan (US$12) is accepted for the competition, it said.As a result, the phone has been ringing off the hook, and often it is mothers, sisters and girlfriends who sign up their favourite male for the contest.The event is a sign of the times, as Chinese men care more about how they look, with skyrocketing sales of fashion magazines and cosmetics targeting men, the paper said.The competition also reflects subtle changes in Chinese society, as women are becoming more financially independent, and their focus shifts from a man’s wealth to his appearance and talent, the paper said.However, one quality not highlighted in the competition may be one many women feel is sorely lacking, according to the paper.”I think the most important virtue for Mr China is his sense of responsibility to women,” said Ding Jiali, a cheerleader hired for the event.- Nampa-AFP”It is a precious chance to show the world the healthy, brilliant and handsome image of today’s Chinese men,” said Ren Qiao, an official organising the contest.The perfect male would be someone with the body of Sylvester Stallone, the intelligence of Stephen Hawking and the money of Bill Gates, the paper said.But in order not to narrow the field too much, the bar has been lowered and anyone who is at least 175 centimetres tall and willing to pay 100 yuan (US$12) is accepted for the competition, it said.As a result, the phone has been ringing off the hook, and often it is mothers, sisters and girlfriends who sign up their favourite male for the contest.The event is a sign of the times, as Chinese men care more about how they look, with skyrocketing sales of fashion magazines and cosmetics targeting men, the paper said.The competition also reflects subtle changes in Chinese society, as women are becoming more financially independent, and their focus shifts from a man’s wealth to his appearance and talent, the paper said.However, one quality not highlighted in the competition may be one many women feel is sorely lacking, according to the paper.”I think the most important virtue for Mr China is his sense of responsibility to women,” said Ding Jiali, a cheerleader hired for the event.- Nampa-AFP