Recently, a survey conducted by Research International found that only 4 percent of Chinese women consider themselves beautiful.

The research company conducted a survey on behalf of Dove. They questioned 2,100 women aged 18 to 45 from ten countries and regions in Asia.

The result shows that Chinese women's judgment of themselves is greatly affected by fixed standard of beauty as well as views from other people, especially their loved ones.

Eighty percent of Chinese women say they use make-up to make themselves more attractive, and more than 50 percent of them prefer to use products that can make their skin whiter; 45 percent of Chinese women think they are overweight; 70 percent of women think they were at their most beautiful before they were 30 years old.

The survey also shows women's attitude toward media and advertisements. 40 percent of women say they feel less confident when seeing perfect models in magazines. 64 percent of Chinese women think that the media and advertising industries tend to establish an unrealistic standard of beauty.

Western culture is also influencing Asian women's view of beauty. 49 percent of Chinese women think that western women are more attractive than Asian women.

(CRI August 23, 2005)