Wang Jing, a high-school graduate in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, had a double-fold eyelid operation, which according to her "leaves her contented and looking more attractive" for when she starts university this autumn.

China Youth, a leading newspaper for the young, quoted doctors with the Third People's Hospital of Zhengzhou as saying that students are four times more likely to have cosmetic surgery done during the winter and summer vacations than other times of the year. .

"My boyfriend said my nose is not so beautiful, and I am doing something about it during the vacation," Zhang, a 17-year-old girl was quoted as saying.

According to Chen Hang, a surgeon with the hospital, many girls come to him with photos of film stars and wanting to look like them. Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung are popular choices.

Many of those wanting to have cosmetic surgery done are students, usually fresh college and university graduates.

And it would seem that the desire to look like a movie star isn't the only reason why young people are willing to go under the knife.

Chen, a female college senior in Zhengzhou, spent nearly 20,000 yuan (about US$2,460) on an operation to change the shape of her face.

When asked why she did it, Chen said: "It's very hard for college graduates to find a job and it is even more difficult for women." So, she came to the conclusion that the more beautiful a girl is, the easier it would be to get a better job.

However, Doctor Chen warned against pinning too much hope on surgery: "It is not possible to change a person's face completely through surgery. Cosmetic surgery only 'adds flowers to the brocade'."

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2005)